Published: 9:08PM GMT 19 Feb 2010
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Tiger Woods gave a masterclass yesterday in the art of apology. Better, perhaps, to call it an applied science, not an art, which sounds too much like the Artful Dodger. Mr Woods did not dodge. His straight bat or club made him the more convincing. It was not his demeanour, on the verge of tears, that won sympathy, but his plain speaking. British politicians and bankers should learn by his statement. Since many of them seem not to have finished studying the manual of behaving as a human being, it would do them a world of good to be locked up with a video of Mr Woods till they have learnt it by heart.
There are parts to an apology, as in rifle drill. First say sorry. Do not say you would like to apologise. Mr Woods said: "I"m deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behaviour." That took him on to the second part: shoulder the sin. He was not "sorry at the turn of events", as a former chairman of HBOS has put his own vicarious regret. Thirdly, blame no one else: "I"m the only person to blame." It had nothing to do with global forces. Finally: a firm purpose of amendment. Sure, there was talk of "therpy" in the American mode, but not for him the mad self-righteousness of My Way: "Regrets, I"ve had a few/But then again, too few to mention." He had plenty, and mentioned several by name. Tiger"s repentance is good not just for golf but for the moral status of celebrity.
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