Tearful Tiger apologises

Tiger Woods fought back tears on Friday as he issued a full and frank apology for cheating on his wife.

The world number one, speaking for the first time in public about his affairs, gave a lengthy statement to an invited audience of friends, family and colleagues at the US PGA Tour headquarters in Florida.

Woods, who confirmed he has been in therapy since December, said: "I want to say to each of you simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behaviour."

The 34-year-old also confirmed he has not set a timescale for his return to golf, saying: "I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be."

Woods was injured on November 27 of last year when he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida home.

After missing his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, he released a statement amid persistent allegations over extra-marital affairs, which read: "I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart."

Woods said he and his wife were attempting to work through their problems and made an appeal for privacy.

He continued: "While I have always tried to be a private person, there are some things I want to say. Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behaviour. We have a lot to discuss and what we say to each other will remain between the two of us."

Woods also vehemently denied allegations his car crash was caused after Elin attempted to attack him with a golf club following revelations about his affairs.

His statement continued: "I have a lot to atone for but there's one issue I really want to discuss. Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night. It angers me that people would fabricate a story like that. Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage."