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Tiger Woods: “I Have Let My Family Down”

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Tiger Woods is very, very sorry.

The golfer released a new statement on his website Wednesday. He does not specifically mention his rumored affairs with Jaimee Grubbs, Rachel Uchitel and other women. He does shoot down talk that a physical fight with his wife Elin Nordegren led to his Friday car crash, calling such stories "utterly false and malicious." Yet, in vague language, he says, "I have let my family down…I am dealing with my behavior and my personal failings behind closed doors with my family."

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The embattled 33 year-old suggests that he won't be divulging any more details on his marriage or alleged infidelity: "Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions…I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves." He and Nordregren have two children: daughter Sam, 2, and son Charlie, 9 months.

The full statement is below:

I have let my family down and I 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.

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Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have 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.

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Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us 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.

For more on Tiger Woods' secret double life — including neighborhood talk about how Elin "beat his ass" over his infidelities; how Rachel Uchitel bragged doing "nasty sex stuff" with Woods and whether his $1 billion estate is at stake — pick up the new Us Weekly on newsstands today!

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