Tiger Talk

The world’s top golfer and paparazzi target, Tiger Woods made his first public appearance since his Nov. 27 car wreck — and the tabloid train wreck that followed — during an emotional speech today at TPC Sawgrass.

“I want to say to each of you, simply and directly, I am deeply sorry,” Woods said to open the highly anticipated statement.

The small crowd gathered at the clubhouse of the Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., course (which also hosts The Players Championship annually) included PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, Woods’ mother Kultida, as well as many close friends, colleagues, several handpicked media members and one television camera to document the 14-minute prepared statement.

Although Tiger’s wife, Elin, was noticeably absent from the event, she was mentioned on numerous occasions. In particular, Woods made sure to squash the rumors that he had been attacked by Elin, who reportedly went after the 14-time major winner with a golf club after discovering that Tiger had been unfaithful.

“For all that I have done, I am so sorry. I have a lot to atone for. But there’s one issue I really want to discuss. Some people want to speculate that Elin hurt or attacked me,” an increasingly angry Woods said. “Elin never hit me that night or any other night. There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our life. Ever.”

In an exercise in humility, Woods went on to call himself “selfish” and “entitled” while openly referring to the numerous extramarital affairs that have been exposed in the days, weeks and months following the post-Thanksgiving disaster which has derailed and jeopardized the billion dollar Woods empire.

“I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply,” explained Woods. “Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find (temptations).”

Many questioned the timing of Tiger’s first public statements and were suspicious of his motives. Woods is undoubtedly stealing golf headlines from the Accenture Match-Play Championship, which coincidentally is title-sponsored by the first company to drop Tiger in the aftermath of the scandal.

“It’s selfish,” three-time major champion Ernie Els told Golfweek. “You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.”

But according to the commissioner, the timing of the event had more to do with Woods’ ongoing treatment than it did sticking it to Accenture, so to speak.

“As we understand it, Tiger’s therapy called for a week’s break at this time, during which he has spent a few days with his children and then will make his statement before returning,” wrote Finchem, in a letter to the PGA policy board obtained by The AP. “Accordingly, there was very little flexibility in the date for the announcement. … The PGA Tour was not involved in determining the timing of the statement.”

Woods’ therapy schedule has taken priority over the PGA Tour slate, which over the next few weeks is highlighted by the Phoenix Open (Feb. 25), World Golf Championship-CA Championship (March 11) and the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill (March 25), where Tiger is the two-time defending champ at the King’s tournament.

“Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy," said Woods. "I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things most important to me — my wife and my children.”

After marrying Elin Nordegren in 2004, Woods had two children — Sam Alexis in 2007 and Charlie Axel in 2009. Now, he apparently wants to become a better husband, father and man more than he wants to chase women or Jack Nicklaus’ all-time majors record.

“It’s up to me to start living a life of integrity. I once heard, and I believe it’s true, it’s not what you achieve in life, it’s what you overcome,” said Woods. “Character and decency are what really count.”

When will Tiger return to the Tour? Well, The Masters tees off on April 8 and no one is sure whether or not the four-time (1997, 2001, ’02, ’05) Green Jacket winner will arrive for the Champions Dinner at Augusta National or tee off at the 445-yard Par-4 slight dogleg right “Tea Olive” that is the first hole of the season’s first major championship.

“I do plan to return to golf one day. I just don’t know when that day will be. I don’t rule out that it will be this year,” said a noncommittal Woods, before closing with a plea to the public. “Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again."