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Tiger Woods was variously thought to be heading to sea, to Sweden or to sexual-addiction rehab yesterday after his dramatic announcement of an indefinite break from golf.

But it was clear that, whatever the intentions of his wife, some of the corporate backers who made Woods into the first billion-dollar brand in sport were no longer going to stand by their man after his spectacular fall from grace.

In a statement on his website on Friday night, the 33-year-old golfer admitted for the first time since the scandal broke two weeks ago that he had been unfaithful to his Swedish model wife Elin Nordegren, 29, the mother of their two children.

''I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness,'' he said. ''It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done … What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy and safe haven we will need for personal healing.''

Woods offered no time frame for his break from the game.

Global consulting firm Accenture today ended its sponsorship of Woods, saying the golfing great is ''no longer the right representative''.

Accenture's announcement marks the company's first statement since stories about Woods' multiple infidelities came to light.

The move makes Accenture the first sponsor to cut ties altogether with Woods since his marital troubles became public.

The relationship between Woods and Accenture goes back six years, with the New York-based firm in 2006 crediting its ''Go on, be a Tiger'' campaign with significantly boosting its image.

Accenture has used Woods to personify its claimed attributes of integrity and high performance.

''After careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising,'' the company said in its statement.

''It wishes only the best for Tiger Woods and his family.''

Accenture said it will immediately transition to a new advertising campaign, with a major effort scheduled to launch later in 2010.

On Saturday, Gillette, which uses the slogan ''The best a man can get'', said it won't air advertisements featuring Woods or include him in public appearances for an unspecified amount of time.

But the company didn't say it was terminating their relationship with him completely.

Woods was hired by Gillette in 2007 and has been in ads for Gillette Fusion Power razors with titles like ''Phenom'' and ''Champions'' with other stars including tennis great Roger Federer and soccer player Thierry Henry.

Other sponsors continue to stick with Woods for the time being.

The notable exception so far is Nike, Woods's biggest sponsor, which pays him $US40 million a year. The company said it hoped his absence from the sport would not last too long. ''He and his family have Nike's full support,'' a spokesman said.

Woods's website comments have fuelled reports that the family may set sail on his yacht, Privacy, which was being loaded in a Florida dock on Friday, or seek refuge in Ms Nordegren's homeland.

Swedish authorities confirmed on Saturday that earlier this month she bought a six-bedroom house on an island off Stockholm. The island can be reached only by boat, making it an attractive hide-away as Woods tries to save his five-year marriage.

Leading addiction psychiatrists and celebrity publicists said they believed Woods could seek help in a rehabilitation clinic for compulsive sexual behaviour. The golfer has been linked with up to 13 women, including cocktail waitresses, a lingerie model, former porn actresses and prostitutes.

''He has clearly been demonstrating reckless and sexual compulsive behaviour,'' said David McDowell, an addiction psychiatrist at Columbia University in New York.

''There are also reports he was reliant on prescription painkillers and used sleeping pills during sex. In these sorts of out-of-control cases, he may well need to go into a treatment facility where he can receive help and the world will see he is addressing his problems.''

Telegraph, London