Tiger Woods delivered his first public statement today from PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida and addressed the recent scandal surrounding his personal life that forced him to take a leave of absence from professional golf. “For all that I have done, I am so sorry,” Woods said. “I have a lot to atone for”

Woods denied that there were any episodes of domestic violence in his marriage and said part of his recovery will involve a return to Buddhism, which “teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security.” Woods faith was the subject of a controversy involving FNC anchor Brit Hume last month.

Woods gave some rationale for his decision not to take questions: “I understand people have questions. I understand the press wants me — wants to ask me for the details and the times I was unfaithful… Please know that as far as I’m concerned every one of these questions and answers is a matter between Elin and me.”

He also took the opportunity to criticize the way he had been treated by the press: “My behavior doesn’t make it right for the media to follow my 2 1/2-year-old daughter to school and report the school’s location. They staked out my wife and they pursued my mom. Whatever my wrongdoings, for the sake of my family, please leave my wife and kids alone.”

Only two pool cameras were present. It appears the feed from the main camera was lost during the statement and the secondary feed, which showed Woods’ mother and other family members, had to be used for the conclusion.

> 11:30am: While the cable networks continue coverage, the broadcast nets did limited analysis. NBC, with Matt Lauer anchoring from Vancouver with analysis from NBC Sports’ Jimmy Roberts, wrapped up at 11:21. ABC was next to wrap up at 11:22, as George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts analyzed the remarks with entertainment reporter Chris Connelly. CBS, with Katie Couric and CBS golf analyst David Feherty, from the site of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, wrapped up at 11:23. And FOX coverage, anchored by Rick Folbaum with analysis from FOX Sports’ Chris Rose wrapped up at 11:23.

More notes after the jump…

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.