Tiger Woods Admits To "Transgressions"

Sporting legend Tiger Woods has apologized for "transgressions" as more women come forward alleging affairs with the world's greatest golfer.

Los Angeles cocktail waitress and reality TV star Jaimee Grubbs has released an answer phone recording purporting to be from Mr Woods which pleads with her to remove her name from the voicemail greeting because "my wife went through my phone and may be calling you".

Grubbs claims to have hundreds of text and voicemail messages to prove the affair, which she said began when she was 21. Other women have also made claims of extramural affairs with Tiger Woods in the U.S. media.

In a statement on his web site, Tiger Woods said he had let his family down and regret "those transgressions with all of my heart.

" I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone," he said.

Despite being one of the most famous sports people of all time, Tiger Woods said he has been "dismayed" to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means.

"For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect. "But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions," he said.

Woods said whatever regrets he has about letting his family down have been shared with and felt by them alone.

"I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult. I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology," he said.

(C) NewsRoom 2009