The father of two announced yesterday that he is taking an indefinite break from professional golf after admitting he had cheated on his wife.

Meanwhile, Gillette appeared to be distancing itself from golfer Tiger Woods tonight after he admitted infidelity and said he was taking an “indefinite break” from professional golf.

Gillette said it would be “limiting his role” in marketing to “support his desire for privacy”.

The shaving brand said in a statement: “In the midst of a difficult and unfortunate situation, we respect the action Tiger is taking to restore the trust of his family, friends and fans.

“We fully support him stepping back from his professional career and taking the time he needs to do what matters most.

“We wish him and his family the best.

“As Tiger takes a break from the public eye, we will support his desire for privacy by limiting his role in our marketing programmes.”

Woods, 33, who is married to Swedish former model Elin Nordegren, admitted “infidelity” for the first time today and said he would do his best to try to repair the “disappointment and hurt” caused by his actions.

The world’s number one golfer, who had been swamped by a series of affair allegations since crashing his car in mysterious circumstances on November 27, said he was putting his career on hold.

Gillette spokesman Damon Jones said Woods would not be appearing in the company's next television campaign or in any forthcoming press adverts.

Woods is appearing in a “handful” of advertising campaigns in the US at the moment, and these will be allowed to run their course.

Mr Jones said: “We’re not pulling anything.

“Tiger has said he wants to step out of golf and out of the public eye and we want to do everything we can to allow him to do that.”

Woods is not currently appearing in any campaigns in the UK.

Mr Jones said he could not predict when Woods might return to a marketing role with the company.

3 US Woods Nightlead

Meanwhile, Woods' main sponsor, Nike, stood by him, saying: ``He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support.''

AT&T also said it supported his decision, but added it was “presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him”.

Another sponsor, Accenture, no longer has an image of Woods on the home page of its website.

But publicist Max Clifford said Woods’ break from golf was a “clever move” and predicted he could look forward to another decade at the top yet.

He said: “This guy is young, good-looking, charismatic and all of those things. So will sponsors drop him? No.”

He said he would advise Woods to consider one major television interview before saying that he would come back only when his wife thought the time was right.

The speculation over what will happen next comes after the champion golfer posted a message on his website saying: “After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf.”

He went on: “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.

“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.”

When Woods was out of action from July 2008 until the end of February this year because of a knee operation, television ratings dropped 50%.

The US golf tour chief, Tim Finchem, said: “We look forward to Tiger’s return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him.”

Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said: “Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family’s terms alone.”

He said it would be “premature and inappropriate” to talk about Woods’ specific business relationships, adding: “Of course, each sponsor has unique considerations and ultimately the decisions they make we would fully understand and accept.”

Woods had previously not commented on the affair allegations or been seen in public since his car crash.

In a statement released last week he referred to “personal sins” and “transgressions” and apologised for letting his family down.

He was last due to play golf on Tuesday December 1 at the Chevron World Challenge title, but cancelled in the wake of his car crash.

He is the winner of 14 major golf events, with the first major of next year being the US Masters which starts on April 8.

Several of Woods’ alleged mistresses have now spoken out, with Jamie Jungers, 26, saying she was left “broken-hearted” after an 18-month affair and others, including adult films star Holly Sampson and New York socialite Rachel Uchitel, both insisting they were not home-wreckers.

Another woman, cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs, apologised to the golfer’s wife but told showbiz news programme Extra: “If it wasn’t me, it was going to be the other girls.”