Now every one of you has good reason to be critical of me. I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in (specifically getting caught).
I know people want to find out how I could be so selfish and so foolish(no we don't). People want to know how I could have done these things to my wife Elin and to my children. And 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 behavior. As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words (it will come in the form of money); it will come from my behavior over time. We have a lot to discuss; however, what we say to each other will remain between the two of us (until Elin writes her book).
I am also aware of the pain my behavior has caused to those of you in this room (sorry mom). I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally (I cost you a ton of money). My behavior has caused considerable worry to my business partners (I made them a laughing stock for believing in me).
(Warning: Gratuitous pat on the back follows!) To everyone involved in my foundation, including my staff, board of directors, sponsors, and most importantly, the young students we reach, our work is more important than ever. Thirteen years ago, my dad and I envisioned helping young people achieve their dreams through education. This work remains unchanged and will continue to grow. From the Learning Center students in Southern California to the Earl Woods scholars in Washington, D.C., millions (millions?? really??) of kids have changed their lives, and I am dedicated to making sure that continues.
But still, I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position (I myself have used many positions).
For all that I have done, I am so sorry (insert pause for effect).
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 (that's actually true...it was early morning!!). There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever (I never got beat up by no chick!)
The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame (I'm speaking in short sentences so my girlfriend will understand).
I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in (My father was a dog too). I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting (I'm a guy). Instead, I thought only about myself (I'm a guy). I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to (I'm a rich guy). I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled (do you know who I am). Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them (chicks threw themselves at me).
I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me. (HAHAHA)
I've had a lot of time to think about what I've done. My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It's now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made (next time I won't get caught). It's up to me to start living a life of integrity (I'll look that word up later).
I once heard, and I believe it's true, it's not what you achieve in life that matters; it's what you overcome (I heard it last night when my handlers wrote this speech). Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.
Parents used to point to me as a role model for their kids (umm...not really). I owe all those families a special apology (just write a check). I want to say to them that I am truly sorry.
It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in (hiding) inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I'm facing (I was getting laid there too). I have a long way to go. But I've taken my first steps in the right direction.
As I proceed, I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful. I understand people want to know whether Elin and I will remain together (no chance in hell, but will keep up appearance for now). Please know that as far as I'm concerned, every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me. These are issues between a husband (scumbag cheater) and a wife.
Some people have made up things that never happened. They said I used performance-enhancing drugs (Viagra). This is completely and utterly false. Some have written things about my family. Despite the damage I have done, I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight. They did not do these things; I did (I just dragged them into it).
I have always tried to maintain a private space for my wife and children (been a snob). They have been kept separate from my sponsors, my commercial endorsements. When my children were born, we only released photographs so that the paparazzi could not chase them (like that would stop them). However, my behavior doesn't make it right for the media to follow my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to school and report the school's location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone. (No joke here...the wife is fair game, but NOT the kids.)
I recognize I have brought this on myself (you think?), and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it (lots of money) to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be.
I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age (I am not too proud to pull out the mommy card and the spirituality card in one sentence). People probably don't realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years (the day I entered college). Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves (sex) causes an unhappy and pointless search for security (a pissed off wife). It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught (understatement).
As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I've learned that's how people really do change (and that's what my people are making me do). Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy (because the chicks there are H-O-T!). I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I'm making these remarks today (they needed the publicity anyway).
In therapy I've learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things that are most important to me, my marriage and my children (I learned a new position).
That also means relying on others for help (threesome). I've learned to seek support from my peers in therapy (group sex), and I hope someday to return that support to others who are seeking help (gigolo). I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be (British Open...out of the country).
I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game (deal with the heckling). In recent weeks I have received many thousands of e-mails, letters and phone calls from people expressing good wishes (and twice as many calling me a prick). To everyone who has reached out to me and my family, thank you. Your encouragement means the world to Elin and me.
I want to thank the PGA TOUR, Commissioner Finchem, and the players for their patience and understanding while I work on my private life. I look forward to seeing my fellow players on the course (even though they would love for me to stay away).
Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again (treat me like a God again).
Thank you.
