ORLANDO, Florida (AFP) — Tiger Woods faced more fallout from his sex scandal Sunday as stunned rivals said they looked forward to his return after an indefinite break in his golfing career and corporate sponsors pondered their future cooperation with the billionaire athlete.

Woods announced Friday he was taking a hiatus from professional golf and admitted he had cheated on wife Elin after reports that 10 women had claimed to have had sexual relationships with the 14-time major champion.

''It's a shock. It was most definitely a shock to everybody to hear what has been going on,'' third-ranked US golfer Steve Stricker said. ''Hopefully he gets it straight. Staying away is a great thing to get his family life in order.''

World number one Woods, who has a son and daughter with Elin, said he wanted to work on being a better husband, father and person.

Australian golf legend Greg Norman said those should be his priorities for now.

''It's not a good position to be in,'' Norman said. ''He has to sort out his private life first and foremost. There's a lot of heartache for him. There may be some fallout. There are individuals who may have to change."

''The important thing is he gets it right and does what he has to do to get himself back out on the golf course. Tiger will come out of this.''

A major concern is how a prolonged absence by the game's greatest player will hit the sport. Television viewership was down 50 percent when he was out with a knee injury and a tough economy has already cut into golf sponsorships.

''The game of golf is bigger than anybody,'' Norman said. ''Golf is hurt without him in the field but the game will go on.''