Begay 'choked up' by Woods statement
One of the people Tiger Woods hugged after giving the most difficult speech of his life said he had never seen the world number one so emotional.
"It's a little bit harder than making a swing change," said fellow player Notah Begay, a close friend of Woods since his college days in California.
Begay pulled out of the US Tour event in Mexico to be present and admitted he got "choked up" listening.
The longest embrace was with his Thai mother Kultida and she agreed to speak afterwards as well, saying her son had a "good heart and good soul" but had made a mistake.
She said: "Some of media, especially tabloid, hurt my son bad. He didn't do anything illegal. He didn't kill anybody. But he try to improve himself. He will come out stronger and a better person."
Some sponsors have already dropped or distanced themselves from Woods, but club and clothing manufacturer Nike said in a statement: "Tiger has apologised and made his position clear. Nike fully supports him and his family. We look forward to him returning to golf."
Video company EA Sports president Peter Moore commented: "It was good to see Tiger address the public and we're supportive of his focus toward family and rebuilding his life."
After initial critical comments from players, most notably Ernie Els, about the timing of the statement in the middle of a big event in Arizona, there was a more supportive reaction there on Friday.
"Hopefully he will get everything sorted and I'll welcome him back with open arms," said Sergio Garcia.
Open champion Stewart Cink added: "I was moved by how difficult it seemed to be for him. It sounds like it's part of the recovery or the healing process that he has to go through."
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