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Desperate Woods: I’m quitting golf

Tiger Woods is dropping out of professional golf in a last-ditch effort to save his shattered marriage.

The golf great broke his silence yesterday to announce he was taking a hiatus from the sport he symbolizes to “repair” the incalculable damage he caused his family, fans and sponsors with numerous extramarital affairs.

“After much soul-searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf,” Woods posted on his Web site last night [Full statement below].

“I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person.”

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The surprise move is a clear indication his stunning Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, may yet forgive his repeated betrayals of their 5-year-old marriage vows.

But it will be a major blow to the PGA Tour, which saw viewership soar over the past decade as a new generation of fans tuned in to cheer on Tiger.

“As much as I love to watch you play golf, this goal must come first,” one fan posted on Tiger’s site. “Without you playing, I will stop watching golf until you come back.”

The No. 1 golfer has seen his ranking among celebrity endorsers plunge to 24th from sixth since reports of his affairs surfaced. He earns an estimated $100 million a year from sponsors.

His face has disappeared from the home page of Accenture Plc, the consulting company that since 2003 has built its marketing campaign around the gold superstar.

In Woods’ statement, he owned up to his affairs for the first time.

“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,” Tiger wrote.

He earlier admitted only to unspecified “transgressions” in the wake of the bizarre single-car crash outside his Orlando-area mansion on Nov. 27, reportedly after a blowout fight with Nordegren over his affairs.

“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,” he wrote last night.

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Nordegren, 29, reportedly had demanded Woods, 33, choose family over golf in the wake of the scandal.

Woods and Nordegren have two children — Sam Alexis, 2, and Charlie Axel, 10 months.

Nordegren, herself a child of divorce, reportedly wanted to keep the marriage together. News reports also suggest she renegotiated their prenup.

“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,” Woods wrote.

The announcement came hours after two of his biggest sponsors, Gatorade and Gillette, met to discuss possibly dumping him from their marketing campaigns.

Woods has earned an estimated $1 billion over his career from a slew of endorsements , ranging from Nike to Accenture to TLC Laser Eye Centers.

Woods, always shy before the media, asked for space from prying cameras and reporters.

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

Fans showered him with compassion on his Web site.

“I’m glad Tiger decided to take this leave from golf. I hope he and Elin can work things out and he can get the help that he needs,” one devotee wrote. “I know it will be a while, and I’m sure the tour will miss him.”

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Statement from tigerwoods.com:


” I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so any 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.”

chuck.bennett@nypost.com