Tigger

Tiger Woods confirmed it: He’s taking a break from golf.

In a statement released on his Web site on Friday evening, Woods said:

“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.”

Woods’ decision comes in the wake of his admission of “transgressions” that caused his family much attention and embarrassment.

And Friday, the world’s top golfer went further, admitting infidelity in his marriage that consumed much of the sports world since revelations about various women surfaced since Thanksgiving.

Said Woods: “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.”

Woods did not say how long he would be away from golf, a sport he has dominated almost since the day he arrived on the PGA Tour in 1996. He has won 71 PGA Tour events and 14 major championships, second all-time to Jack Nicklaus (18).

But lately, Woods, 33, has not been associated with golf.

We almost need to start counting the alleged mistresses on our toes now, as Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs, Kalika Moquin, Jamie Jungers, Mindy Lawton, Cori Rist, Holly Sampson, Joslyn James, and Loredana Jolie have all been romantically linked to the guy over the last few weeks. And the list just keeps growing.