• Home
• About
• SiteMap

• PGA Golf

Subscribe

Tiger ads continue to run Monday (Yahoo! Sports)

In what could be read as a sign that Tiger Woods is unaffected in the endorsement world by his accident this weekend, two of Woods’ sponsors have ads in two different national papers Monday.

Swiss watch company Tag Heuer has an ad with Woods on the front of the Life section of USA Today that reads “What are you made of?” Accenture has an ad in the Wall Street Journal that has Tiger walking through fescue with the line “The road to high performance isn’t always paved.”

More on Tiger Woods Tigers PR crisis Wetzel: Sensible silence Woods: Accident a private matter More from Darren Rovell

Slideshow: America’s most impressive golf homes

Given the accident, many of the Accenture ads will now have a double meaning.

The consultancy firm has been running a series of spots featuring Woods in various stages of trouble all year, presumably to sell their consulting services to help clients through these tough times. An ad on the front of Accenture.com has Woods in a tough situation on the course with the line “It’s what you do next that counts.”

Accenture officials did not immediately respond to an email inquiring about the Woods accident. Gillette, Nike and Chevron have all said they will stand by the golfer.

Questions? Comments? Email SportsBiz@cnbc.com. Or check out more Sports Biz with Darren Rovell.

Golf-Play World Cup for honour not cash, says official (Reuters)

* Top Americans should play for honour

* Mission Hills “gateway” to Chinese golf market

* Club a “fitting” venue for WGC-HSBC Champions

By Nick Mulvenney

SHENZHEN, China, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Top American golfersneed to think more about the honour of representing theircountry at the World Cup and less about appearance fees,according to Mission Hills Golf Club director Tenniel Chu.

The vast $1.5 billion 12-course club was venue for the 55thWorld Cup last week—the third year of a hosting andco-sponsorship deal that runs until 2018.

The field contained three top 10 players but Ireland’s RoryMcIlroy was one of several players who said they hoped for areturn to the days when the very best golfers, such as ArnoldPalmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, competed.

One of the main obstacles preventing the highest levelfield from competing in recent years has been the quality ofthe United States team, despite the lure of a $5.5 millionprize fund.

This year, world number 31 Nick Watney and 134th-rankedJohn Merrick were the American duo prepared to forego theirThanksgiving holiday. They finished seventh as Italy won thetitle for the first time.

Chu, whose father David built Mission Hills, believes thereturn of golf to the Olympics for 2016 might help, but theAmerican players needed to think about their priorities.

“More and more players are discovering the concept ofplaying for the honour of your country,” he told Reuters in aninterview in the world’s largest clubhouse.

“If the President’s Cup or the Ryder Cup was played inThanksgiving week, the players would still show up.

“With other countries there was never an issue with sendingtheir top players, and none of these players are receivingappearance money.”

“Year after year you invite the same target list and theyhave a million and one reasons (not to come),” he added.

“You want to look at them in the eye and say: ‘Is there notmore to life than money? Will you really live differently ifyou have $100 million or $50 million?’

“But if they think they are doing the right thing forthemselves and their countries—if they do think about theircountries—then, okay, we just go our own separate ways.”

CHINA EPICENTRE

Chu is the public face of the opulent 20 square-kilometregolf complex, which the owners claim is the largest in theworld.

The aim of the family is to make the World Cup of Golf atournament to rank alongside the game’s biggest, and the clubthe “epicentre” of the sport in China.

“This is the new frontier for the world of golf and we atMission Hills have been the gateway to it,” Chu said.

“If you ask anybody which club is doing the most to developthe game in China at all levels, they will immediately answerMission Hills.”

China is certainly attracting plenty of attention fromequipment manufacturers, course architects and the major golftours.

The U.S. PGA sanctioned the first World Golf Championship(WGC) event in Asia at this month’s $7 million HSBC Champions,a tournament has been held in Shanghai for its first four yearsbut is likely to move on after 2010—perhaps to MissionHills.

“My father was the critical person in assisting bringingthe WGC event to China,” Chu said. “If you spent that much timeand effort in lobbying to bring it to China, obviously the onlyfitting place to have it is here.” (Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com) ((nick.mulvenney@thomsonreuters.com; +8610 6627 1282; Reutersmessaging: nick.mulvenney.reuters.com@reuters.net. For the newReuters sports blog Left Field:http://blogs.reuters.com/sport/))

Please double click on the newslink below:

[LEN-GOLF] for more golf news

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

THE PLAYERS offers holiday ticket special for 2010 event (PGATOUR.com)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.—Fans can give the gift of THE PLAYERS Championship this holiday season through a special PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan that includes tickets, parking and a commemorative DVD from the 2009 event.

Now through Dec. 14, tournament officials are offering THE PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan for $99, a savings of nearly $100 for one of golf's premier events, held at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, May 3-9.

THE PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan Includes: – 2 Adult Daily Grounds Admission Tickets (good for a specific day, Thursday – Sunday) – 2 Youth Daily Grounds Admission Tickets (Age 18 and under) – Complimentary On-Site Parking Pass – Commemorative DVD of THE PLAYERS 2009

"This is a great holiday gift for one family to give to another, or a nice stocking stuffer for Mom or Dad that the whole family can enjoy," said THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jay Monahan. "THE PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan allows our fans to recapture THE PLAYERS 2009 through the commemorative DVD and spark excitement to attend in 2010.

"And as we wrap up Giving Back Month and head into the season of giving, we hope this family plan will be a gift at the top of everyone's list and one that will ultimately help us generate more money for the deserving charitable organizations in our community."

For tickets to THE PLAYERS, go to , or call 888-401-8000.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

John Daly hopes for quick return by Woods

SYDNEY, Australia (AP)—John Daly says he doesn’t want to know the reasonsbehind Tiger Woods’ late night car crash.

The dual major winner, who has had his share of off-the-course troubles,told reporters in Australia on Monday he just wants Woods fit and back on thetour.

Daly, who will play in the Australian Open starting Thursday, said hedoesn’t share the public fascination with the facts behind Woods’ accidentoutside his Florida home.

“I don’t really care what happened between Tiger and … whatever happened.I’m just glad he’s OK,” Daly said. “We need him, probably more than anybody onthe tour, to keep things going, the way the economy is.”

According to the Florida Highway Patrol accident report, Woods had justpulled out of his driveway when he struck a fire hydrant and then a tree. Woodslater said he had cuts, bruising and “right now I’m a little sore.”

Daly said whatever physical damage Woods had suffered, he hoped it mendedquickly.

“Tiger’s the biggest asset the tour’s had in a long, long time,” he said.“Whatever happened, as long as he’s OK that’s all that matters. Golf needs himbadly … no doubt.”

Woods is scheduled to compete at his Chevron World Challenge, which startsThursday in Thousand Oaks, California, although his tournament director did notknow Woods’ status for the tournament—whether he would play or even attend.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Woods’ quest for privacy meets its great challenge

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP)—All anyone needs to know about Tiger Woods off thegolf course is what he named his yacht.

Privacy.

Woods gave up a big piece of that when he left Stanford University after twoyears, turned pro with a “Hello, World” ad campaign and a $40 millionendorsement deal, then quickly became one of the most recognizable athletes onearth.

He will invite some people into that world, but only so far.

Earlier this month in Shanghai, while playing a pro-am round at SheshanInternational in a World Golf Championship, Woods allowed that he was staying ina cluster of mansions located on an island in the middle of the golf course.Some of the estates were valued at $14.5 million, and Woods could not believethe extravagance of these homes.

Approaching the island, he was asked which one he was staying in for theweek.

“Oh, one of those over there,” he said dismissively.

It was a clear example of the world’s No. 1 player giving a morsel ofinsight, but not much more.

Once asked why he enjoyed scuba diving so much, Woods replied: “The fishdon’t know who I am.”

He is friends with many, close to only a few. Among his best friends areBryon Bell, whom he has known since junior high school, and Jerry Chang, ateammate at Stanford.

When he made history in 2001 as the only golfer to hold all fourprofessional majors at the same time, Golf Digest put him on the magazine coverposing with the four trophies, along with his U.S. Amateur trophy.

Did he keep them on the mantel? A special trophy case? His bedroom?

That remains a mystery.

Even for a magazine with whom he has had a longtime relationship, thetrophies were moved out of his house for the photo shoot. That $2.4 million homenear the driving range at Isleworth is off limits to anyone not part of hiscircle.

It’s amazing that Woods has managed to keep such a thick wall around hispersonal life in the 14 years he’s commanded the spotlight. The last time hisname might have been on any police report was when he was mugged going back tohis dorm at Stanford in 1994.

In response to a query on his Facebook account in October, Woods said he andhis wife, Elin, had managed to stay out of gossip magazines and tabloids. “Ithink we’ve avoided a lot of media attention because we’re kind of boring,” wasthe reply.

That changed Friday with a press release from the Florida Highway Patrolthat Eldrick Tiger Woods, 33, of Windermere, struck a fire hydrant and a treeshortly after pulling out of his driveway. The patrol described the injuries as“serious,” making the news important enough to be the lead item on newschannels and for networks to interrupt coverage of college football games.

Then came word of a small photo of Woods on the cover of the NationalEnquirer, alleging an affair with a New York night club hostess. The womandenied the story and flew to Los Angeles on Sunday to meet with high-profileattorney Gloria Allred.

Woods has had a general distrust of the media since a 1997 interview with GQmagazine in which he was quoted as telling racy jokes in the back seat of a car.He rarely spends much time in an interview, his answers always guarded. If he’snot the defending champion, he often will not go to the media center, makingreporters come outside to see him.

The only criticism Woods has faced was not taking a stronger stand on socialissues, such as the all-male membership at Augusta National, not playing moretournaments, or for cursing and throwing a club during competition.

But in all those cases, it was short-lived.

Questions about his car crash, however, will linger as long as Woods keepsit a mystery. He has dealt with a sporting media most of his life. Now he stepsinto the realm of celebrity media, which is far more relentless.

Speculation on what really happened that night outside—or inside—hishome grows each day. Woods went 13 hours before confirming he was in a “minoraccident,” then two more days before giving his side of the story Sunday.

He said it was his fault, an embarrassing accident, that he’s not perfect,and that any innuendoes were false and malicious. That hardly will be enough tokeep the media satisfied.

Woods turned down a request by state troopers to talk three days in a row.Because it is only a traffic accident, he is not required by law to give astatement.

“Although Tiger realizes that there is a great deal of public curiosity, ithas been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing more to add and wishes toprotect the privacy of his family,” Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG, said inan e-mail.

But that small camp of TV trucks parked outside the gates at Isleworth mightnot be leaving any time soon. Woods still is scheduled to compete in his ChevronWorld Challenge this week in Thousand Oaks, California. As of Sunday night, noone had withdrawn.

Would it not be wise to face the media, no matter how embarrassing, and moveon?

That’s simply not his style. Woods can be self-deprecating, but only in thebest of times. If he chooses not to show this week in California, he couldeasily go into hiding for the next two months. Hardly anyone saw him in publicfor four months after his knee surgery last year.

That won’t make the story go away. For all the records he is chasing insidethe ropes, this might prove to be his greatest challenge.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Woods speaks up, says crash is ‘private matter’

WINDERMERE, Florida (AP)—Tiger Woods finally gave his side of the story Sunday— on his Web site, not to police—and took the blame for an “embarrassing”car crash that gave him cuts, bruises and public scrutiny like never before.

His statement failed to clear up any questions about the middle-of-the-nightaccident outside his Isleworth estate in which his wife told police she used agolf club to smash the back windows of the Cadillac SUV to help him out.

“This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my familyand me,” Woods said on his Web site. “I’m human and I’m not perfect. I willcertainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Related Video Tiger's statement

Tiger's statement

No Tiger interview More PGA Tour Videos More Tiger Woods coverage Does Tiger have anything to gain by talking? Read complete statement from Tiger Woods Transcript of 911 call made after the accident Two vehicles with the Florida … AP – Nov 29, 5:21 pm EST FILE – In this June 11, 2009 f… AP – Nov 29, 12:17 pm EST Elin Nordegren, wife of golfer… AP – Nov 28, 12:37 pm EST Elin Nordegren, wife of golfer… AP – Nov 28, 11:06 am EST Elin Nordegren, wife of golfer… AP – Nov 28, 11:04 am EST FILE – Tiger Woods' wife, … AP – Nov 28, 1:15 am EST FILE – Tiger Woods with his da… AP – Nov 28, 1:11 am EST FILE – Tiger Woods' wife, … AP – Nov 28, 12:56 am EST Security guards gather near th… AP – Nov 27, 7:25 pm EST Health Central Hospital, where… AP – Nov 27, 6:53 pm EST Security guards gather near Ti… AP – Nov 27, 6:34 pm EST A security officer guards the … AP – Nov 27, 6:23 pm EST A security officer guards the … AP – Nov 27, 6:22 pm EST A security officer guards the … AP – Nov 27, 6:19 pm EST A security officer guards the … AP – Nov 27, 6:16 pm EST This aerial photo shows the ho… AP – Nov 27, 6:15 pm EST Todd Lewis, right, an announce… AP – Nov 27, 6:13 pm EST Cars enter the gated Isleworth… AP – Nov 27, 6:13 pm EST A car leaves the gated Islewor… AP – Nov 27, 6:03 pm EST A security officer guards the … AP – Nov 27, 5:42 pm EST A March 2001 photo shows Tiger… AP – Nov 27, 5:38 pm EST A March 2001 photo shows Tiger… AP – Nov 27, 4:54 pm EST FILE – In this Aug. 20, 2006, … AP – Nov 27, 3:20 pm EST FILE – In this April 8, 2001, … AP – Nov 27, 3:15 pm EST FILE – In this Nov. 15, 2009 f… AP – Nov 27, 3:07 pm EST FILE – In this Nov. 14, 2009 f… AP – Nov 27, 2:54 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 25; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091129/capt.62106895d3eb4bea8d54e2731e213c64.woods_accident_txdp104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=48&yc=1&wc=315&hc=350&q=70&sig=VbHOTgolzD6fKIsSWgP9Gw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.e2642df9c2974ec2b995675d0d30d713.woods_accident_fljr102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=79&yc=1&wc=253&hc=281&q=70&sig=jfrWqhGu_Miq9nee3eXr9Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.8ddf8d68192e4779bcc3870ba32c4ac6.aptopix_woods_accident_flpe104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=Sfc1uGfZil9tIT1YxB31.g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.651705f3b44d48d28c80685bcac75dc4.woods_accident_flpe104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=vEcuvEJ5EGR_lYIByD7FwQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.31eb016d5fc0411cb22aeb62fbba96d1.addition_woods_accident_ny115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=298&hc=331&q=70&sig=Fzo111cCg.Y5PXk2O_qKCg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.bb44e45ecf4d4255ad8b84333782699e.woods_accident_ny117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=299&hc=332&q=70&sig=IJBW6qjMpiy96A9.QYl4zQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.4c06ccc4ec7242188723f48080914ce3.woods_accident_ny115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=298&hc=331&q=70&sig=pbUHVQYzhGye.uFGNVG5tw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091128/capt.90c1a3c3e1f94e87baf6dca75c3759fb.woods_accident_golf_flgm104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=66&yc=1&wc=279&hc=310&q=70&sig=dzrfp20G9S2FXmUkGhONyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.ba0654219faf4dbeb42c5c06ae942974.woods_accident_golf_flpe111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=84&yc=1&wc=245&hc=272&q=70&sig=6iiPRKl7EW5ozglzayL9lw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.418312ad8038451faa19b39547b3562b.woods_accident_golf_flgm103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=69&yc=1&wc=274&hc=304&q=70&sig=JAhEP9QDaKF3j2cU_axrlA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.4c50be757d7349e1ac008c3da1079ce0.woods_accident_golf_florl306.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=339&hc=377&q=70&sig=StJ12O6y.Dqq3RG6YYK9ZA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.0a98532ec58f42a18e790c518455f8bf.woods_accident_golf_florl305.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=221&hc=245&q=70&sig=su1CNbbt5A0zhtAzqzXX4g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.3ad8c5f7c88648e3ad69113817e903fa.woods_accident_golf_florl304.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=78&yc=1&wc=256&hc=284&q=70&sig=d7MRKPgVj.3ytSUxpZpnWg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.b28a7327b8b542c3b86f4329489e97c3.woods_accident_golf_florl303.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=219&hc=243&q=70&sig=Z5x6BbanrHNE.ZCsMtK1BQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.b0a6cac83cff489e910dce5964dea09a.woods_accident_flgm103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=8ab26YBv6u_tyoEVdyUcCQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.2d6e77b9ba9f4b41be9a9b91ac045243.woods_accident_golf_fljr103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=227&hc=252&q=70&sig=XalN_UQBdCgtgUU7jb.aCA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.31f659b4e97b421a8918e78eece3a515.woods_accident_golf_fljr102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=233&hc=259&q=70&sig=QR1NXULxHEAdLs69e7aIKQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.6cc655828d43408b92383c4eeddc1713.woods_accident_golf_fljr101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=dA8LiaI2Pf8mc2y.MpnMfA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.a806ae7270dd4371a6a15a6e8297f709.woods_accident_golf_florl302.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=84&yc=1&wc=244&hc=271&q=70&sig=ej9N9DYccTMlOYRbOOxtSw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.b5fde9f547c242ffa7917fcfd72532fe.woods_accident_florl301.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=70&yc=1&wc=271&hc=301&q=70&sig=TRnFy0DszN93vcOJskljjQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.8e89f13689b042019f67ea4fee95f316.woods_accident_florl301.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=70&yc=1&wc=271&hc=301&q=70&sig=lWNqh7Y000TD4CJpGEHwZg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.70c814d2506f4a03a02f35f0562319fd.woods_accident_golf_pga186.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=42&yc=1&wc=329&hc=365&q=70&sig=KO1hxhz6kAwimO5gUhODLg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.9576fec917834a06910d7610ff00941a.woods_accident_golf_ny155.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=f5zS6wIo5ZvJAgFFkZ8t7Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.bea97a5c756245a0884d4ab552386b29.woods_accident_golf_ny154.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=qKdD1_taTp06LbGhBj.c1A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091127/capt.ca3dbc3cd3c24f9d9f4a13cff4e7dc02.woods_accident_golf_ny153.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=269&hc=299&q=70&sig=UGEIeZO_9h2xV_Xg5VvUfA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 26 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

The statement was posted around 2 p.m. Sunday, about an hour after Woods’attorney told the Florida Highway Patrol that for the third straight day golf’sNo. 1 player would be unavailable to talk to troopers.

This time, the meeting was not rescheduled.

Even so, Sgt. Kim Montes of FHP said troopers went to Woods’ $2.4 millionestate anyway, only for attorney Mark NeJame to turn them away. The attorneygave troopers Woods’ driver’s license, registration and insurance as required bylaw for such accidents.

Woods said the crash was a private matter, and he intended to keep it thatway.

“Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded andmalicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me areirresponsible,” he said. “The only person responsible for the accident is me.My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. Shewas the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.”

Woods is scheduled to compete at his Chevron World Challenge, which startsThursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif., although his tournament director did not knowWoods’ status for the tournament—whether he would play or even attend.

Even with his first public comments on the 2:25 a.m. Friday accident, Woodsleft several questions.

— Where he was going at that time of the night?

— How did he lose control of his SUV at such a speed that the air bagsdidn’t deploy?

— Why were both rear windows of the Cadillac Escalade smashed?

— If it was a careless mistake, why not speak to state troopers trying towrap the investigation?

“We have been informed by the Florida Highway Patrol that furtherdiscussion with them is both voluntary and optional,” Mark Steinberg, his agentat IMG, said in an e-mail. “Although Tiger realizes that there is a great dealof public curiosity, it has been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing moreto add and wishes to protect the privacy of his family.”

Woods’ wife turned troopers away from their home in the exclusive gatedcommunity outside Orlando on Friday, the day of the accident, because she saidhe was sleeping. Steinberg called troopers en route to Woods’ house on Saturdayand postponed the meeting until Sunday.

“We’re just continuing our traffic crash investigation,” Montes said. “Ifwe have somebody who we feel is pertinent to the investigation, then we willinterview them.”

She said the 911 caller was interviewed Saturday, and investigators mightspeak with other people who were at the scene as well.

The FHP released the 911 call from an unidentified neighbor on Sunday.

“I have a neighbor, he hit the tree. And we came out here just to see whatwas going on. I see him and he’s laying down,” the neighbor told dispatcherswithout ever identifying the victim as Woods.

Asked if the victim was unconscious, the neighbor replied, “Yes.”

Part of the call were inaudible because of a bad connection. At one point,the voice of a woman is heard yelling, “What happened!”

“We’re just trying to get the police here right now,” the neighbor says tothe woman. “We don’t know what happened. We’re figuring that out right now. I’mon the phone with the police right now.”

According to the FHP accident report, Woods had just pulled out of hisdriveway when he struck a fire hydrant and then a tree. Woods said he had cuts,bruising and “right now I’m a little sore.”

Montes said the Woods’ car was towed for “safekeeping,” and authoritieshave already documented where the damage is on the vehicle and the point ofimpact.

The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a storyalleging that Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that theyrecently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the AustralianMasters.

The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contactedby The Associated Press.

Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred confirmed she was representing Uchitelwhen she was reached by the AP on Sunday.

“She is with me in L.A.,” Allred said later in an e-mail to the AP. “Weplan to meet and then we’ll decide on the next step, which we do not plan toannounce to the press.”

Uchitel arrived at Los Angeles International Airport late Sunday morning,where she was met by Allred and escorted out of the baggage claim area and intoa black car. Uchitel did not speak to reporters except to ask that she be leftalone.

Aside from occasional criticism of his temper inside the ropes, Woods haskept himself out of the news beyond his sport. In an October posting on hisFacebook account, Woods wrote, “I’m asked why people don’t often see me andElin in gossip magazines or tabloids. I think we’ve avoided a lot of mediaattention because we’re kind of boring. …”

AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson in Jacksonville, and Associated Press writersLinda Deutsch in Los Angeles, and Sarah Larimer in Miami contributed to thisreport.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Daly comments on Woods’ accident

SYDNEY, Australia (AP)—John Daly says he doesn’t want to know the detailsabout Tiger Woods’ late-night car accident.

Daly, the two-time major champion who has had his share of explaining to doin an often troubled career, said Monday he just wants Woods fit and back on thetour.

“I don’t really care what happened between Tiger and … whatever happened.I’m just glad he’s OK,” said Daly, preparing for Australian Open. “We needhim, probably more than anybody on the tour, to keep things going, the way theeconomy is.

“Tiger’s the biggest asset the tour’s had in a long, long time,” he said.“Whatever happened, as long as he’s OK that’s all that matters.

“Golf needs him badly … no doubt.”

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Tiger Woods acceps full blame for car crash (Reuters)

By Barbara Liston

WINDERMERE, Fla., Nov 29 (Reuters) – Golf star Tiger Woodson Sunday accepted full responsibility for the car accidentthat took place outside his Florida home but said he wanted tokeep the details surrounding the incident private.

The world’s top golfer hit a fire hydrant and tree as hepulled his Cadillac Escalade out of the driveway of his houseat around 2:25 a.m. EST (0725 GMT) on Friday, the FloridaHighway Patrol said.

Woods was taken to the hospital with injuries andreleased.

“This situation is my fault and it’s obviously embarrassingto my family and me,” Woods, 33, said on his official website(http://web.tigerwoods.com).

“I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make surethis doesn’t happen again.

“This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way.Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false,unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulatingabout my family and me are irresponsible.”

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Bill Trott) ((mark.stokes@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202 898 8457; ReutersMessaging: mark.stokes.reuters.com@reuters.net. For the Reuterssports blog Left Field go to: http://blogs.reuters.com/sport))

((Please double click on the newslink:

[GOLF-LEN] for all golf stories))

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Tiger Woods issues statement on crash

Tiger Woods, who crashed his car into a neighbor’s tree early Fridaymorning, released the following statement Sunday afternoon on his Web site.

“As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, andsustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I’m prettysore.

This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family andme. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’thappen again.

This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although Iunderstand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumorsthat are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, actedcourageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person tohelp me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family andme. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, Iwould also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacyno matter how intrusive some people can be.

On the Web:

http://web.tigerwoods.com

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

Transcript of 911 call for Woods

The Associated Press listened to the 911 call reporting Tiger Woods’ autoaccident and created the following transcript. Dispatcher 1 is the Orange CountySheriff’s dispatcher. Dispatcher 2 is the Orange County Fire-Rescue dispatcher.

Dispatcher 1: 911 what’s your emergency?

Caller: I have, this is, uh … (redacted) in the Isleworth subdivision. Ineed an ambulance immediately. I have someone down in front of my house. Theyhit a pole. I came out to see.

Dispatcher 1: Is it a car accident, sir?

(inaudible)

Dispatcher 1: Sir, is it a car accident? Hello? Sir? Hello?

Caller: Hello, yes.

Dispatcher 1: Is it a car accident, sir?

Caller: It’s a car accident, yes. I need, yes.

Dispatcher 1: Now are they trapped inside of the vehicle?

Caller: No, they’re laying on the ground now.

Dispatcher 1: OK, stay on the line for medical. Don’t hang up, OK? And it’sin front of your house, correct?

(inaudible)

Caller: And get some water.

Dispatcher 1: OK, sir, medical is on the line sir, OK?

Dispatcher 2: Fire-rescue. What’s the address?

(redacted)

Caller: Yes, Windermere, Florida, in the Isleworth subdivision.

Dispatcher 2: What happened? What’s wrong?

Caller: I have a neighbor, he hit the tree. And we came out here just to seewhat was going on. I see him and he’s laying down.

Dispatcher 2: There was an auto accident?

Caller: An auto accident, yes.

Dispatcher 2: OK, is he outside or inside his car?

(inaudible)

Dispatcher 2: Sir, your phone broke up. I heard inside. You there? Yourphone broke up there. Can you repeat your phone number for me?

(redacted)

Dispatcher 2: Is he unconscious?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher 2: OK, are you able to tell if he’s breathing?

Caller: No, I can’t tell right now.

Dispatcher 2: OK. We do have help on the way. What color is his car, too?

Caller: It’s a black Escalade.

(Background, woman yelling): WHAT HAPPENED?

Dispatcher 2: Is anyone able to open the door?

Caller: We’re trying to figure out right now.

Dispatcher 1: Is he trapped inside of the vehicle or is he outside on theground?

Caller: We’re just trying get the police here right now. We don’t know whathappened. We’re figuring that out right now. I’m on the phone with the policeright now.

Dispatcher 2: Your phone’s breaking up. Can you hear me though, sir?

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher 2: While we have paramedics on the way, I’m just gonna stay onthe phone with you. If you find out further just let me know. I’m going to stayon the phone, OK?

Caller: Hello.

Dispatcher 2: I’m here.

Caller: Yes.

Dispatcher 2: OK. We got paramedics on the way, but I’m going to stay on thephone in case you find out further.

Caller: OK, OK, thank you.

Dispatcher 1: Sir, is he on the ground or is he in the car?

Caller: Yes, he’s on the ground.

Dispatcher 2: Hello, you there still?

Caller: Yes, I’m still here.

Dispatcher 2: OK. All right. Your phone’s real staticky, but we’re stillhere.

Caller: OK.

Dispatcher 2: As soon as I know I’ll let you know how far away they are,too.

Caller: OK. OK.

Dispatcher 2: Are you with him right now?

Caller: Yes, I’m with him right now.

Dispatcher 2: OK, tell me how he’s breathing if you’re able.

Caller: Take it easy.

(inaudible)

Dispatcher 2: You said he is breathing?

Dispatcher 1: Hello, sir, are you there?

Dispatcher 1: Hello?

Dispatcher 2: I heard a click …

Dispatcher 1: Yeah, I’m hearing that, too. Hello?

Dispatcher 2: Oh, his phone must have gone out of range. Looked like he wason a house phone so when he went to the exit he probably lost his connection. Wedo have help on the way, we should be there in just a couple of minutes.

Dispatcher 1: OK. We’re going, too.

Dispatcher 2: OK. Appreciate that. Thank you.

Dispatcher 1: You’re welcome.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 PGA Golf Tour – Golf information, Golf Stats, Golf scores, updated hourly · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in