"I know a lot of my friends are in here, and I haven't seen them, I haven't talked to them, but I've read their articles and, of course, they have been critical of me," said Woods, who acknowledged some reporters by first names. "They should, because what I did was wrong.

"But then again, I know a lot of them, I know a lot of you in here are my friends and will always be my friends."

During the riveting 35-minute cross-examination a contrite but composed Woods fielded a wide range of questions, politely refusing to answer some and deftly sidestepping others.

The 14-times major winner discussed undergoing 45 days of treatment in a rehabilitation center but refused to reveal for what addiction.

He admitted to receiving treatment for injuries from a Canadian doctor under investigation for smuggling performance-enhancing drugs but insisted he had never taken illegal drugs.

The 34-year-old American confirmed he had used prescription painkillers while recovering from knee surgery and an Achilles tendon problem but he was never addicted to them.

Repeated apologies

Some subjects remained off limits.

Woods revealed his Swedish wife, Elin, would not be making a Masters appearance but provided few other details about the state of their marriage or the bizarre late-night car accident outside his own home in Florida on Nov 27.

For most of the 35 minutes, however, Woods repeatedly apologized to those he had hurt, particularly his family and fellow golfers.

One of the sporting world's most competitive figures, Woods conceded he had come to Augusta believing he can win a fifth green jacket but that championships were no longer the driving force in his life.

"It puts it in perspective; it's that it's not about championships," said Woods. "It's about how you live your life.

"I had not done that the right way for a while and I needed to change that. Going forward, I need to be a better man.

"I'm trying as hard as I possibly can each and every day to get my life better and better and stronger and if I win championships along the way, so be it."

Despite Woods's mea culpa, the scandal that has swirled around him continues to pick up steam with new allegations of infidelity and gambling.

An unflattering article in Vanity Fair has thrown more fuel on the fire while one of Woods's alleged mistresses, porn actress Joslyn James, followed up his media conference with one of her own in New York demanding an apology before heading towards Augusta to appear at a strip club.

James, who says she had a three-year affair with Woods and last saw him in October, watched the golfer's news conference with her lawyer, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, in a room full of reporters in New York.

"He's still a big, fat liar," said James, who shook her head and raised her eyebrows as she watched Woods take questions. "We all deserve an apology, those of us that were hurt throughout all this."

Reuters