Saudi Ministry of Education to showcase innovations at 2025 Geneva International Exhibition    7,523 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws deported in a week    Video contradicts Israeli army account of deadly March 23 strike on Gaza paramedics    Saudi Arabia spends over $241 million to implement de-mining projects in 3 countries    Italy's Meloni government approves controversial security decree expanding police protections and penalties    Egypt submits new Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal: Report    'Everything is possible' — Ronaldo focused on titles, not 1,000-goal milestone after Riyadh Derby win    Saudi, US military leaders discuss enhanced defense cooperation in Riyadh    King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launches program with Indiana University    Ronaldo brace powers Al Nassr past Al Hilal in Riyadh derby thriller    Ed Sheeran weaves Persian music into new song, Azizam    Al-Jadaan: Crown Prince's directives confirm government's ability to bring back balance to real estate market    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Foreign investors are allowed to engage in real estate business outside Makkah and Madinah Commercial speculation should not be the purpose of real estate transaction    Aubameyang fires Al Qadsiah into King's Cup final with stoppage-time winner over Al Raed    Musk's X is suing India, as Tesla and Starlink plan entry    Tesla sales plunge after backlash against Elon Musk    Danilo Pereira fires Al Ittihad into King's Cup final with dramatic stoppage-time double    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Mexico bans junk food in schools to fight childhood obesity epidemic    Sweet sales surge ahead of Eid as Saudi chocolate imports top 123 million kg in 2024    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Golf's fallen hero faces the public
By Tim Gaynor
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 20 - 02 - 2010

A total hush fell over the darkened room at the PGA club house and all eyes turned to a break in the heavy blue drapes.
A lone helicopter buzzed loudly overhead as Tiger Woods stalked into the room, his eyes searching for the microphone like a troubled swimmer looking for a lifeline.
The atmosphere was intimate, a tightly-controlled setting for the golfer's first public appearance in months, but cameras beamed the event out to a live television audience watching for every word.
Woods launched into a solemn, faltering and long apology as he sought to save his marriage and push the reset button on a billion-dollar career that has been on hold since his stunning fall from grace last year.
Engulfed in a frenzy of media speculation over his private life after a bizarre car accident in the middle of the night in November, Woods admitted in December to marital infidelity and announced he was taking an indefinite break from professional golf. But he had not yet appeared in public to apologize.
“I have let you down,” he said, speaking nervously, to the room filled with 40 or so people at the headquarters of the US PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The group included agents, PGA executives and family, but not his wife, Elin, with whom he has two children.
Barred from asking questions, reporters focused on body language. Dressed in a blue blazer, ironed shirt but no tie, and with no sign of any sponsors' logos, the 34-year-old American was somber and sometimes spoke in a monotone.
There was no sign of the million-watt smile that helped him parlay his skills on the fairway into becoming the richest man in sports with $100 million in annual earnings.
Woods' hands hovered at his sides as he spoke.
After addressing the group drawn from his family, friends and life as the world's No. 1 golfer, he looked over their heads to the camera at the back of the room, apologizing to millions of fans he could not see.
He spoke of feeling “entitled by money and fame,” bringing hurt and shame on himself, his family and fans around the world. Then his tone hardened to angry indignation as he spoke of the intrusion in his life from the media who have lampooned him, making him the butt of talk show jokes and tabloid headlines.
The minutes stretched out. His tone softened as he sought to reconnect once more, first with the people in the room, and with the fans around the world.
“I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again.”
Stepping forward, he hugged his mother. Holding her tightly in his arms, he kissed her. There was no sign of tears.
As abruptly as he arrived, he turned and swept out between the blue drapes.
The last glimpse of him was a hand reaching up in silhouette to his brow, as he headed back to treatment at a rehabilitation center.


Clic here to read the story from its source.