03 December,2009 08:21 AM IST | | Correspondent
What started as an innocent crash has turned into a tale of scandals and affairs leaving a more painful cut on Tiger Woods' image than the one on his face. We take stock of the whole saga The latest edition of US Weekly, which carried a Jaimee Grubbs interview
The crash
On Friday night, Tiger Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida mansion.
The rumour
Wife Elin was chasing Woods with a golf club as the ace golfer tried to flee after she came to know about another of his affair. Elin swung the club at the car and Tiger lost control of the vehicle and crashed.
Official version
Elin Woods said she heard the crash and broke the rear windows of the SUV with the golf club and pulled Woods out. Woods was bleeding from the nose and the mouth and was unconscious when police reached the spot.
Affairs galore
Los Angeles cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs had an extramarital affair with Woods lasting 31 months, in which they met 20 times for sex and exchanged steamy text messages. Grubbs has told her friends about this, US Weekly reported.
A recording of a voicemail left by Woods has also been released. It says: "Hey, it's, uh, it's Tiger. I need you to do a huge favor. Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone and may be calling you."u00a0 Daily Mail reported that Grubbs also has proof of their affair.
Club promoter Kalika Moquin told her friends that she and Tiger hooked up, reported Life and Style magazine. Moquin told pals that Tiger wasn't happy with her marriage.
Fling with New York nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel, according to AFP. She has categorically denied the rumour.
TMZ website has put up photos of Tiger getting cozy with a brunette at a club.
ANI released a story that a former reporter, who has covered Woods on several occasions, has seen the golfer leaving a hotel room with a woman.
Why Elin will stay
She is being paid a hefty sum, transferred directly to her account, to stick with Woods.
She is getting a rewrite on the prenuptial agreement. According to the earlier agreement, she needed to be married to Woods for 10 years to collect $ 20 million.
Now, the time frame has been shortened and money increased substantially.
Most importantly, the couple has already begun intense marriage counseling.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
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Image worries
Tiger Woods' popularity is not just because he is a champion at golf. His squeaky clean, family-man image is equally responsible for making him the first sportsperson to cross the billion-dollar mark. Many believe that Woods' image has taken a beating.
But some also feel people have short memories and if he can stay away from such controversies in the future, his following will not dwindle.
Sponsors Trouble?
After his public apology, the sponsors have decided to stick by Woods. But considering that a new controversy is coming up everyday, things could get interesting in the future.
Excerpts of apology
I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.
The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.
I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology..
Jokes are out too
I always said golf was a dangerous game. All this happened because Tiger picked up another birdie.
Tiger woods has been dropped by Gilette after admitting this incident was his closest shave ever.
Tiger has been dropped from the Ryder Cup team as his terrible record at being beaten by the Europeans continues.
Phil Mickelson contacted Tiger's wife to pick up some tips on how to beat Tiger.
What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.
He should have used the driver.
