Tiger Woods apologizes

Tiger Woods is telling his family, friends and fans that he is “deeply sorry” for his selfish and irresponsible behavior.

Woods is speaking from the clubhouse at the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour. About 40 people are in the room, including his mother. His wife is not obviously present.

The world’s No. 1 golfer had not talked in public since his traffic accident Nov. 27 triggered shocking revelations about Woods’ infidelity.

“I had affairs. I cheated,” Woods said.

The golfer said he won’t publicly get into the details of his behavior, citing news reports he indicated were inaccurate and intrusive.

“For the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.”

Woods said he was in therapy for issues he was facing. “I have a long way to go,” he said, but is taking “the first steps in the right direction.”

It was Woods’ first public statement in more than 80 days after a car crash outside his home spiraled into a sex scandal.

A small handpicked crowd was on hand at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, but questions were not allowed.

The Golf Writers Association of America’s board of directors voted to boycott the event. “To limit the ability of journalists to attend, listen, see and question Woods goes against the grain of everything we believe,” said Vartan Kupelian, the association’s president.

Former sportscaster Pat O’Brien criticized the way Woods seemed to be controlling the news conference.

O’Brien added, “If you listened to sports talk radio, he’s just getting ripped to shreds.”