Tiger Woods issues apology for 'sins against family'

Tiger Woods today admitted letting his family down as he apologised for "transgressions" following allegations he had affairs with three women.

The billionaire golfer said he regretted the mistake "with all of his heart" in a statement issued today on his website.

It comes after Las Vegas club promoter Kalika Moquin was named as the golfer's mistress in American magazine Life & Style, while cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs claims she had a 31-month affair with the 33-year-old.

In a statement, Woods said: "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 behaviour my family deserves.

"I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family."

The dramatic move came after days of speculation about a car crash in which he received facial injuries.

The crash came amid allegations he had rowed with his wife over claims in the U.S. of an affair with nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel.

Woods said: "Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

"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."

Miss Uchitel has since denied the reports in U.S. media of a fling with the married golfer but it sparked a raft of other claims about his private life.

Jaimee Grubbs, 24, alleged in magazine US Weekly she had 20 sexual encounters with the billionaire sportsman since 2007.

Ms Moquin, 27, was later named as a third woman, after a friend told a Life & Style magazine she and the golfer had "hooked up a bunch of times".