Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's Relationship and Breakup Quotes

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Letting Them Down

Likely the most infamous thing Tiger has said about his relationship with Elin was the statement he wrote about letting his family down.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren and Daughter Sam Wearing Stanford Cardinals Red On Sidelines Of Football Game Against California Bears

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Without Faults

In response to reports of his infidelity and a late-night car accident outside his home in 2009, Tiger began, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Sit Watch Basketball Game

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Grace

He continued, “The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Pose Outside Welcome Dinner 2006 Ryder Cup

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Better Person

The golf star added, “I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.”

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Tiger Woods Greets Wife Elin Nordegren And Daughter Sam After Winning 108th US Open

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“Fantastic”

After their split, Tiger told Time of his bond with Elin in December 2015, “Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic. She’s one of my best friends. We’re able to pick up the phone, and we talk to each other all the time.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Exits Muddy Course After Ryder Cup

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Hindsight

He added, “We both know that the most important things in our lives are our kids. I wish I would have known that back then.” Well, they say hindsight is 20/20, right?

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Walk During Ppening Ceremony For 34th Ryder Cup

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On Him

Tiger told Time that he had spoken with his kids about the scandal, and basically admitted the split was on him. “I’ve taken the initiative with the kids and told them upfront, ‘Guys, the reason why we’re not in the same house, why we don’t live under the same roof, Mommy and Daddy, is because Daddy made some mistakes,'” he said.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Pet A Dog She Wears Sunglasses On Her Head and Bracelets He Wears A Striped Shirt And Holds A Red Drink In A Glass

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Blame

The athlete added, “It’s just, ‘Hey Daddy made some mistakes. But it’s okay. We’re all human. We all mistakes.’ … I was to blame, and so I’m taking initiative with the kids. I’d rather have it come from me, as the source.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Laughs and Claps His Hands Golf Writers Association of America Awards Dinner

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Besties

He noted that coparenting with Elin has been “tough,” but that, “As years and years have gone by, we’re like best friends. It’s fun.”

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Tiger Woods Stands With Elin Nordegren On The 17th Green After Defeat During Foursome Matches First Day 34th Ryder Cup

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For the Kids

“She talks to me about her life, I talk to her about my life. We try and help each other out on all occasions,” Tiger previously said of the former couple’s bond. “And we work through it with the kids, the parenting program. She is one of my best friends now, and it’s all because of my kids.”

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Tiger Woods Kisses Elin Nordegren After Winning Presidents Cup Golf Competition

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Hard Work

He added, “We’ve worked so hard, and I’ve shown her how much I love them. We’ve worked so hard at coparenting, to make sure that their lives are fantastic.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Sit In The Stands Watching Exhibition Tennis Match

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Time

But they had to do a lot of work to get to that point. During a televised 13-minute speech given at the TPC Sawgrass — home of the PGA Tour — in February 2010, Tiger talked about the couple’s embattled relationship. “My real apology to her will not come in the form of words, it will come from my behavior over time,” he said.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Leave The Stage After Opening Ceremonies At The 2004 Ryder Cup

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Unfaithful

He said that his now-ex deserved “praise, not blame,” and that, “The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable and I am the only person to blame.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Walk During Day One Foursome Matches of The Presidents Cup Wearing Matching Red Shirts and Baseball Caps

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Entitled

“I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by — I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to,” Tiger added. “I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled.”

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Arriving At 35th Ryder Cup Matches Gala Wearing Long Dress And Black Tux

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Never Suspected

After their divorce, Elin opened up to People about her feelings on the situation. She said she had no idea that he was cheating, and admitted, “I’m so embarrassed that I never suspected — not a one.”

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What Doesn’t Kill You

She added, “I’ve been through hell. It’s hard to think you have this life, and then all of a sudden — was it a lie? You’re struggling because it wasn’t real. But I survived. It was hard, but it didn’t kill me.”

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Heartbreaking

Elin also told People at the time, “I loved him, we had so much fun, and I felt safe with him. Our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life.”

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Great Father

In 2014, Elin told the same outlet, “Our relationship is centered around our children, and we are doing really good — we really are. He is a great father.”

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Happy

Elin was asked about her ex-husband’s relationship with skier Lindsey Vonn, and revealed, “I’m happy for Tiger … In general, in any kind of step-parent relationship, I’m happy that there’s somebody else loving my children.”

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Best Wishes

The same day Elin opened up to People the first time, Tiger actually addressed their relationship as well at the Barclays tournament in Paramus, New Jersey. “You don’t ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced. That’s why it is sad,” he said. “My actions certainly led us to this decision. I’ve certainly made a lot of errors in my life and that’s something I’m going to have to live with.” Most importantly, he added of his ex-wife, “I wish her the best in everything.”