Tiger picks home over golf

By abandoning the tour for an unspecified time,Woods leaves golf without its No. 1 draw,television without its No. 1 ratings driver and his sponsors without exposure from the golfer who makes more than 100 million a year selling their products and building their brands. It was not clear how he arrived at this decision or whether it was made in consultation with sponsors or Tour officials.

The tours official response was swift and supportive: We fully support Tigers decision to step away from competitive golf to focus on his family. His priorities are where they need to be,and we will continue to respect and honour his familys request for privacy.

Woodss statement appeared on his website just before 7 pm Friday,late in the news cycle and at the start of the weekend,a time often reserved for releasing controversial news in the hopes of diminishing its impact. The reaction from CBS and NBC the two networks that will televise the bulk of the PGA Tour schedule also closely followed Woodss statement. Sean McManus,the president of CBS Sports and News,said golf could go on without Woods,but not for long without consequences.

How long is indefinite?

Weve obviously done golf tournaments without Tiger before, McManus said,but we all know how much better they do when Tiger is playing well on the weekend. Well adjust,but I guess a lot of it depends on what the definition of the word indefinite is.

Golf is still a strong sport and we look forward to his return on the golf tour. Well adjust and life will go on,but a tournament with Tiger Woods is a much bigger sport.

In his third statement since the accident drove him into seclusion,Woods used his site to reiterate and amplify his profound apologies for the fallout from the reported multiple affairs to which he had alluded but had not admitted. 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.

Whats most important now is that my family has the time,privacy,and safe haven we will need for personal healing. After much soul searching,I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf, the statement continued. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband,father,and person. Tiger and Elin have been married for five years and have a 2-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old son.

Woodss decision to take the break for an indeterminate period will most likely shift the focus of speculation away from the almost daily updates on his dalliances to what date he will return to the sport he has dominated since 1997. His recent pattern has been to begin his United States schedule at the San Diego Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course at the end of January. From there,he would begin his run-up to the first major championship of the season at the Masters in Augusta,Georgia,in April.

Under normal circumstances,the odds on a healthy Woods missing the years first Major would be astronomical. But the circumstances since the car accident have been anything but normal. Woodss suspected marital indiscretions have been the No. 1 topic on every outlet from Internet postings to tabloid magazines at grocery checkouts to reports in the mainstream news media.

One No. 1-ranked golfer who has been through his share of domestic upheaval voiced his support on Friday. I feel sorry for Tiger, Greg Norman told the Golf Channel in Naples,Florida,at his tournament,the Shark Shootout. But hes got to figure out his situation for himself personally. Wed like to see him back out there performing to the level he has played. Hes been a great asset to the game and hell continue to be that way.

From a personal perspective,I wish him well. I hope he sorts it out family is family and nobody likes to be in that position.

Image taken down

Meanwhile,Bloomberg News reported that Woodss image was taken down Friday from the homepage of the website for Accenture Plc.,the consulting company that has used him in its marketing since 2003. Nike,another Woods sponsor,issued a release that said: Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade. 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 Nikes full support.

There were no immediate reactions from Woodss other sponsors,including ATamp;T,Gillette,Tag Heuer and Gatorade.

Before the events of November 27,expectation had been building for the 2010 season. Woods won six tournaments in 2009,none of them majors. Next year was looked upon as another opportunity to add to his total of 14 majors and resume his chase of Jack Nicklauss record total of 18. But that quest has been put off as Woods attempts to sort out the damage done to his marriage.

He finished his website message with another plea for his family to be left alone as he and his wife work to reconcile. Again,I ask for privacy for my family, he wrote,and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period. NYT

Full statement

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. 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 Ive done,but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone,including my fans,the good people at my foundation,business partners,the PGA Tour,and my fellow competitors,for their

understanding. Whats most important now is that my family has the time,privacy,and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching,I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband,father,and person.

Again,I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.