Tiger Woods Trying To Save Marriage
Dec. 12 2009, Published 8:23 a.m. ET
With new alleged mistresses surfacing every day, Tiger Woods is going to need all the help he can get to save his marriage with Elin Nordegren.
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The pro golfer, who announced on Friday that he is taking a break from the sport, is now focusing on repairing his family. Sources tell RadarOnline.com that the father of two has recommitted himself to piecing his personal life back together. With three big occasions coming up less than a week apart (five days after Christmas Woods turns 34 and Elin turns 30 on January 1), the sources say the disgraced athlete is motivated to repair what he broke.
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"The entirety of someone's life is more important than just a professional career," Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent, said in an e-mail to the AP. "What matters most is a young family that is trying to cope with difficult life issues in a secluded and caring way. Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family's terms alone."
Though Woods' endorsements will scale down during his departure (Gillette officially announced they would be limiting Woods' role in the future), his decision is quickly gaining widespread support from his former associates who are already looking forward to his triumphant return.
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After Woods' website post, the PGA came forward for the first time since the scandal broke, offering their public support for his decision to take time off. "His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and honor his family's request for privacy," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement. "We look forward to Tiger's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him." Longtime sponsor Nike echoed Finchem's comments: "Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade. He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support."
Despite the scrutiny over Woods' endorsements, his agent emphasized that the future is still unsure and that Woods is still very much a commodity in the eyes of his sponsors. "Suffice it to say, we have had thoughtful conversations and his sponsors have been open to a solution-oriented dialogue," Steinberg said.