Tiger Woods apologizes, asks fans to ‘believe in me again’

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Tiger Woods apologized to his fans Friday, saying he was deeply sorry for his ‘irresponsible and selfish behavior.’

‘For all I have done, I am so sorry,’ he said. ‘I have a lot to atone for.’

As expected, Woods did not reveal when he would return to playing golf, saying he will return to therapy Saturday ‘for guidance on the issues he is facing.’

Wearing a dark blazer and a blue shirt, Woods often had tears in his eyes during his statement, telling a group of reporters he was responsible for the scandal that has engulfed his family.

‘I knew my actions were wrong,’ said Woods at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ‘I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I only thought about myself.

‘I felt I was entitled, thanks to money and fame. I was wrong, I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. I brought this shame on myself.’

He ended his nearly 14-minute statement by asking colleagues and fans to ‘believe in me again.’

Woods shot down reports that his wife, Elin Nordegren, attacked him on Nov. 27 when he crashed his sport-utility vehicle outside his Florida home.

‘There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage, ever,’ Woods said. ‘Elin deserves praise. Not blame.’

[UPDATED: 8:47 a.m.: Woods also appeared angry when he asked the media to respect the privacy of his family.

‘Please leave my wife and kids alone,’ he said.]

We’ll have more on his statement soon at latimes.com/sports.

-- Austin Knoblauch