Woods Take A Break from Professional Golf

One athlete with the highest incomes in this decade and also the most successful golfer of his generation, Tiger Woods, on Friday he said he would take a break from the world of professional golf until the time that has not been determined to focus on his family. Tiger Woods was trying to calm down after a scandal involved an unusual romance with some beautiful woman, 2 of them are porn film artist. The incident caused the rift with his wife's household.

In a statement posted on his Web site late Friday, Mr. Woods, who has won 14 major championships, acknowledged for the first time that he had committed "infidelity," and said he was "deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt" his actions had caused his family. "I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness," he wrote. "It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try."

The golfer, who hasn't been seen in public since the early-morning car accident, asked for understanding from "my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors." He also requested privacy to help create a "safe haven" for his family.

In a statement sent via email Friday, Mr. Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, said he stood by his friend's decision and reiterated his privacy request. "The entirety of someone's life is more important than just a professional career," he said.

The move comes as a serious blow to the sport of golf, which has relied on Mr. Woods's star power to drive television ratings and sell sponsorships. In 13 and a half seasons as a professional, he has won 71 times on the PGA Tour and collected $93 million of prize money. Since his debut, prize money on the tour has more than tripled, with weekly purses averaging more than $3 million. Along the way, Mr. Woods has captivated the sports world, becoming arguably the world's most recognizable athlete. Television audiences for tournaments can double in size when he is in contention in the final round.

Tim Finchem, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, said the tour supported Mr. Woods's decision. "His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and honor his family's request for privacy," he said. Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the Masters, couldn't be reached for comment. The United States Golf Association, which hosts the U.S. Open, said it planned to release a statement.

Mr. Woods's major sponsors pay him about $90 million annually in sponsorship.

A spokesman for one ofthem, AT&T Corp., said that in light of the recent news, "we support Tiger's decision and our thoughts will be with him and his family. We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him."

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