Tiger Woods Says "Embarrassing" Accident Was His Fault

Photographs of Tiger Woods' SUV from TMZ

Tiger Woods issued a statement on his website about his Friday car accident, blaming himself for the incident, calling his wife Eiln's actions "courageous," and refuting the "many false, unfounded and malicious rumors" (namely that he and his wife got into a fight preceding the accident):

As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore.

This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this 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 circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

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

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.

TMZ reports that Woods' lawyer cancelled a meeting to speak with the Florida Highway Patrol, which had tried to interview Woods and his wife yesterday. The gossip website had also previously reported that Woods allegedly told a friend he need to buy a "Kobe special", referring to the $4 million ring Kobe Bryant bought his wife after the Lakers star's Colorado fling.

The FHP released a 911 call a neighbor made about the accident—you can listen to it here (MP3)—"My neighbor, he hit the tree. I see him, and he's laying down."

And the National Enquirer put the story alleging that Woods was having an affair online, even though the suspected mistress Rachel Uchitel, a NYC nightclub hostess, has denied having an affair with the golf superstar: "The ENQUIRER can show how Rachel's denials are full of contradictions! ... [One] source -- who passed a polygraph test -- told The ENQUIRER: 'They were constantly "sexting." Tiger was asking things like, "What are you wearing? What do you want to do to me? What do you want me to do to you?"'"

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on November 29, 2009 3:30 PM

Comments [rss]

SighR

Wonder how long it took the cops on the scene to dub the story "bullshit".

brooklynmouthoff

WHO CARES?! Not only is this story NOT about New York.....but it's Tiger Woods. gross.

NewHCE

Give the guy some privacy. The details don't matter if there was no crime.

Having said that, don't women understand that if you marry a young, high-profile zillionaire there are bound to be 'distractions?"

NannyState

She usually removes his personality module to adjust the GPS but because her own module had a minor CPU malfunction, she not only failed in her "wifely" duties, but went all Westworld on his black ass.

Snoopy

"Black ass" isn't that a racist remark? And here all along I thought he was Samoan or Hawaiian.

Splicer

Tiger Woods should have just looked at his wife and said, "You've got your money and your lavish lifestyle. Now shut your mouth and take what you get". Fidelity is a joke in this day and age.

Snoopy

That lousy MacMansion that the Wood's family live in is hardly living in the upper stratosphere of wealth. Orlando Florida? Come on. What is he, a devoted Disney World fan with a season pass? How about shelling out a $100 mil for something a little bit more upscale on the ocean you cheap prick. If he had more property than a 1/4 acre perhaps Mr. golfer wouldn't be running into his neighbors shrubs in the early hours of the morning. Where might he be going at that time of night?

Next time I would suggest Elin use a pitching or a sand wedge on his head.

jaycjay

Those pics certainly make the "she broke the rear window with a club club to get him out of the car" part of the story hard to believe. Any one of the four doors could have been opened.

Spirit of 76

Even if the doors were locked or jammed, why would she break the back window rather than either the driver's side or passenger side window? Did she expect to drag him out over the front seat headrests? She must be one strong woman. Even more ludicrous if they were actually referring to the backlight rather than one of the rear side windows.

Sorry, but that they're unwilling to cooperate at all with the investigation tells me something's rotten in the state of Sweden. (Sweden, Denmark - close enough.) Lawyers are probably drawing up divorce papers as we speak.

Polite New Yorker

Kobe Bryant did not have a "Colorado fling." He raped a woman.

felixthecat2

Who Knew Swiss Miss could open a can of whup ass?

Mr Mel

Nobody has the real story yet.

Rocknrope

BLAARGHH BLAH BLAH NEW YORK?!

Rocknrope

Hmmm, sarcasm meters must've been off for the holiday.

tsol

Please, please! Repeat this comment after EVERY non-NYC story!

Snoopy

Just look at that Escalade. If that isn't pimped out like some New York City gang member's ride from the hood, I'd like to know what it is. Those are some fine looking wheels for a man of his class.

Also this is a New York City story because one of his neighbors is a former New York City resident.

And there are Nike products sold all over New York City.

mellow_fellow

the suspected mistress [is] Rachel Uchitel, a NYC nightclub hostess
Now don't you look stupid. J/K, I'm with you on questioning Gothamist's coverage of this story.