So selfish and so foolish... the sorrow of Woods

The world's most famous golfer stood in front of the cameras and made a full and frank apology for cheating on his wife.

Speaking for little over 13 minutes to a room of 40 invited guests, including his mother, friends and close associates, Woods broke his silence, saying he was "deeply sorry" for his adultery.

But if the setting was undeniably stage-managed, at least his apology appeared to be genuine.

The millionaire golfer, whose mystery car crash outside his home in November last year led to a string of lurid allegations about his private life, admitted he had been "so selfish...so foolish".

Since then the father of two has been fighting to save his marriage to Swedish ex-model Elin Nordegren, who was not present at yesterday's Press conference.

"Every one of you has good reason to be critical of me," he said, reading a statement, his voice charged with emotion.

"I am the only person to blame. I stopped living by the core values I was taught to believe in.

"I knew my actions were wrong but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries a married couple should live by.

"I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me.

"I felt I was entitled, thanks to money and fame. I didn't have to go far to find them – I was wrong and I was foolish."

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

The sports legend said he understood that people wanted to know "how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and my children".

He told his assembled guests: "Elin and I have started the process of discussing the damage caused by my behaviour.

"As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words, it will come from my behaviour over time.

"We have a lot to discuss. However, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us."

Shocking revelations about his infidelity were triggered when he was injured crashing his car into a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida home.

After missing his own golf tournament he released a statement after persistent allegations over extra-marital affairs, saying he had let his family down.

The storm of bad publicity that followed saw several of Woods's big-name sponsors cut their ties or distance themselves from the sportsman, including business services giant Accenture and shaving firm Gillette.

At the time there was speculation the collision took place after a fight with his wife, although Woods flatly denied this.

"I have a lot to atone for, but there is 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. Ever."

He praised his wife for showing "enormous grace and poise" as the humiliating stories emerged of her husband's adultery.

Woods also discussed his possible return to golf, which has been one of the hottest topics in sport, although it now seems unlikely that he will play until autumn at the earliest.

"I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return I need to make my behaviour more respectful to the game," he said.

In the meantime, he said it was up to him "to start living a life of integrity", adding that the therapy he was now taking, along with his Buddhist faith would help him to "be a better man."

The golfer then embraced his mother, Kultida, as he left the stage.

Other people, however, may be less forgiving.

How superstar came to repent

November 27

Reports emerge that Woods was hurt in a car accident near his Florida home. US gossip websites speculate it may be connected to an alleged affair with a New York nightclub hostess.

November 29

Woods releases a statement on his website admitting full blame for the incident. It is a "private matter".

December 2

US waitress Jaimee Grubbs claims she had a two-and-a-half-year affair with the golfer. Woods admits he has let his family down.

December 4-11

A flurry of claims are made by other women alleging to have had a fling with Woods, including a porn star and a pancake house waitress.

December 11

Woods says he is taking an "indefinite break" from golf.

February 17

Woods's manager Mark Steinberg says the golf star intends to apologise.