by wildcherry on Friday, December 11th, 2009 | News, Sports

Tiger Woods said he will take a break from the game “to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.” Woods also asks the public and media to give his family “the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.”

Woods mentions the “disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children.” Once again, he apologizes, and asks for forgiveness.

He goes on to thank those “who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.”

Previously Woods admitted to “transgressions,” but this is the first time he has specifically mentioned “infidelity.”

This is a transcript of the statement released Friday by golfer Tiger Woods on his Web site.

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What’s most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.

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