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By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson, Ap Golf Writer 2 hrs 6 mins
ago
Tiger Woods is shifting his focus from winning majors to saving his marriage.
Two weeks after Woods crashed his SUV into a tree outside his Florida home,
setting in motion a swift fall that featured reports of rampant extramarital
affairs, golf's biggest star delivered a stunning development of his own. He
temporarily is walking away from the game that made him the first $1 billion
athlete.
"After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from
professional golf," Woods said Friday evening on his Web site. "I need to focus
my attention on being a better husband, father, and person."
It will be the second straight year that the No. 1 player was on the sidelines.
A year ago, he missed eight months while recovering from reconstructive surgery
on his left knee. This time, Woods is trying to repair a broken family, knowing
this will be a far more difficult comeback.
"I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused
to so many people, most of all my wife and children," Woods said. "I want to
say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It
may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to
try."
Woods and his wife, Elin, have been married five years. They have a 2-year-old
daughter and a 10-month-old son. The No. 1 player in golf has not been seen in
public since the accident.
Woods gave no indication when he might return in what could be a pivotal year
as he pursues the record 18 major championships won by Jack Nicklaus. Woods,
who did not win a major this year, has 14.
The Masters, where Woods has won four times, is April 8-11. The U.S. Open is at
Pebble Beach, where Woods won by a record 15 strokes in 2000, and the British
Open returns to St. Andrews, where he has won twice by a combined 13 shots.
"We knew before he was coming back," said Steve Stricker, one of Woods'
favorite players on tour. "Now, we're not sure when he's coming back. But this
sounds good. I hope everything works out for him."
The PGA Tour supported the decision.
"His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and
honor his family's request for privacy," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said
in a statement, the tour's first public comment since Woods mentioned his
"personal failings" and "transgressions" in a Dec. 2 statement. "We look
forward to Tiger's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right
for him."
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told The Associated Press that it was the right
decision for Woods and his family.
"The entirety of someone's life is more important than just a professional
career," Steinberg said in an e-mail to the AP. "What matters most is a young
family that is trying to cope with difficult life issues in a secluded and
caring way. Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family's
terms alone."
Craig Parry, who played a practice round with Woods in Australia last month,
said Woods brought the problems on himself.
"What he did was totally wrong," Parry said at the Australian PGA Championship.
"And he's got no one to blame except himself. You can look at other people, but
he's the one who's got to look in the mirror."
John Daly, who is going through his third divorce, said he has been trying to
reach Woods and "he just didn't want to talk to anybody."
"I feel if there is anybody in this world who could give him some advice ..."
Daly said in Australia. "I hope we get him back soon. They always say there is
no one bigger in golf than the game itself. But Tiger is."
Woods was out of action from July 2008 until the end of February this year, and
television ratings dropped 50 percent. The tour is trying to renew a half-dozen
title sponsors, and it is to begin negotiations on the next television contract
later next year.
As for Woods' corporate endorsements, all have stood by him for now.
"Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade," Nike said in a statement
Friday. "He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of
his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's
full support."
Meanwhile, Accenture no longer has an image of Woods on the home page of its
Web site. Earlier this week, Woods standing amid cactus plants studying his
next shot was among three rotating pictures on the home page.
AT&T said it supported Woods' decision.
"We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him," the company
said in a statement. Not only does Woods carry the AT&T logo on his golf bag,
the company is the title sponsor of his PGA Tour event over the July 4th
weekend.
Steinberg said it would be "premature and inappropriate" to talk about Woods'
specific business relationships.
"Suffice it to say, we have had thoughtful conversations and his sponsors have
been open to a solution-oriented dialogue," Steinberg said. "Of course, each
sponsor has unique considerations and ultimately the decisions they make we
would fully understand and accept."
Earlier this year, Woods became the world's first athlete to surpass $1 billion
in career earnings, according to Forbes magazine. His sponsors also include
Gillette, Gatorade and Tag Heuer.
Woods last played a tournament Nov. 15 when he won the Australian Masters for
his 82nd victory around the world.
Stricker, who went undefeated as Woods' partner at the Presidents Cup, said his
leave was the right decision.
"I think it's great that he's going to put his family first and work things
out," Stricker said from Naples, Fla., where he is playing the Shark Shootout.
"Golf will always be there. He wants to make sure his marriage is right and
everything is good on the homefront. We'll sure miss him on tour until he gets
things taken care of."
Woods also indicated he would step away from the work of the Tiger Woods
Foundation, which has served some 10 million children.
"There are millions of young people who have truly changed their lives through
the foundation's programs, and millions more still counting on us for help,"
Woods said in a separate statement through his foundation. "I am committed to
them and to the foundation's excellent work, and I know my staff will continue
these efforts during my absence."