Tiger Woods is to take an indefinite break from professional golf, admitting he cheated on his wife and bowing to the pressure of two weeks of frenzied media scrutiny of his private life.

The world's number one golfer made the stunning announcement in his latest posting on his website in which he confessed "infidelity" for the first time, said he was sorry and asked his family, friends and supporters for forgiveness.

Woods, 33, had previously owned up only to "transgressions" in response to multiple media allegations of numerous extramarital flings.

In a statement released on his website late last night Woods admitted for the first time that he has been unfaithful to his Swedish wife Elin.

The father-of-two, clearly desperate to save his marriage, said: “I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children.

“I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

“I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding.

“What’s most important now is that my family has the time, privacy and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

“After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

“Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.”

His agent Mark Steinberg also issued a statement, saying: “The entirety of someone’s life is more important than just a professional career.

“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.”

The whole controversy puts a whole new slant on a coming season which many thought could be Woods’ best yet.

With 14 majors Woods is four short of Jack Nicklaus’ record and three of the courses in 2010 are among his favourites.

Augusta National is where he has won four Masters, including his record-breaking 12-shot, 18-under-par performance in 1997 in the very first major he played as a professional.

The US Open in June is back at Pebble Beach, where he won by a record 15 strokes in 2000, and the Open in July returns to St Andrews, where he won by eight in 2000 and by five in 2005.

His return might well still come at the Accenture World Match Play in Arizona in February — the event in which he came back from his injury 10 months ago.

They pay him fortunes too, but they no longer have his image on the home page of its website.

Communications giant AT&T commented: “We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him.”

Woods’ main sponsor Nike, who signed a multi-year contract with Woods in 2006, are standing by him and say they are looking forward to the player’s return to golf.

“He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era,” Nike spokeswoman Beth Gast said in a statement.

“We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike’s full support.”

Tim Finchem, commissioner of the US Tour, followed Woods’ statement with his first official response to golf’s biggest talking point in its entire history.

“His priorities are where they need to be and we will continue to respect and honour his family’s request for privacy,” he said in a statement.