One of the people Tiger Woods hugged after giving the most difficult speech of his life yesterday 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 37-year-old - three years older than Woods - has had his own issues to deal with. A decade ago he was sent to jail for a second drunk-driving offence and sought professional help.
Woods was there for him then and Begay has been there for the troubled superstar the last few months.
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 yesterday.
"Hopefully he will get everything sorted and I'll welcome him back with open arms," said Sergio Garcia.
"I don't think the tournament's been overshadowed. I think Tiger did what he needed to do and said what he needed to say. I think he did well.
"For me it's water under the bridge. I'm actually excited to see him back. It's good to see he's doing well."
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.
"I've got a couple of good friends that have gone through the alcohol abuse programme and similar steps are taken in the healing process where you have to make amends to the people you've hurt.
"You have to start the bridge to the other side and I think that's where Tiger is.
"It sounded heartfelt to me. It sounds like it was a really difficult thing for him to do - probably one of the most difficult things he's ever had to do.
"Tiger's a tough guy that is going to, like he said, overcome this.
"I have no idea (when Woods will return), but he'll do it when it's his time.
"I think he'll be received well (by fellow players). One thing we have to remember - we've all made mistakes and all sinned. And forgiveness is a huge part of the process."
Sir Nick Faldo believes it will be good for Woods to be back playing sooner rather than later.
"His whole world has been golf and if he does not get back to it you assume he does not have a world," he said.
