Tiger Woods: I'm a Buddhist who lost track of what I was taught

"I have bitterly disappointed all of you," Woods told the hand-picked room of audience members. "I have made you question who I am and how I have done the things that I have," he said.

Woods made a blanket apology for everything that had happened. "For all that I have done, I am so sorry," he said. He was also specific about his "repeated, irresponsible behavior." Said Woods: "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was unacceptable, and I am the only person to blame."

He also promised to try to make things better. "I have a lot to atone for," he said.

In his 14-minute remarks, Woods acknowledged that he had spent 45 days in "in patient therapy" for his sex addiction and said "It's hard to admit that I need help but I do." He added: "I have a long way to go."

Raised a Buddhist, Woods admitted that he had lost touch with his own faith that had been taught to him at a young age by his mother. He also left the podium and walked over to the front row to hug his mother immediately after he spoke.

As for his professional career, Woods gave no indication of when he would come back. "I do plan to return to golf one day. I just don't know when that day will be."

The world's most famous athlete took pains to separate his family from the speculation about himself. "Some people have speculated that Elin somehow hurt or attacked me on Thanksgiving night," he said, adding that the story angers him. "There has never been an episode of domestic violence in our marriage. Ever. Elin has shown enormous grace and poise throughout this ordeal." Woods added: "Elin deserves praise, not blame."

While acknowledging the lingering questions that people have, Woods said that many of those remaining questions are a matter between his wife and himself. "Please know that as far as I'm concerned every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me," he said. "These are issues between a husband and a wife."

He also appealed for the media to respect the privacy of his family. "I still believe it is right to shield my family from the public spotlight," Woods said. He chided photographers who had followed his daughter to school and media outlets who reported the identity and location of her school. "Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone," Woods said.

Woods also tried to explain why he did what he did. "I knew my actions were wrong. I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply," he said. "I felt I was entitled, Woods said, blaming "money and fame" for that sense of entitlement.

But Woods said he understood the need to change his attitude: "I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me."

"I've had a lot of time to think about what I've done," Woods said. "My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before." Woods said it's now up to himself to make amends. "And that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made."

Instead of avoiding the title of role model, Woods took ownership of that special responsibility. "Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what count," he said.

"Today I want to ask for your help," Woods said to his friends, family and fans. "I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again."