This time last year, Tiger Woods could reasonably have been described as having it all: a billion dollars in the bank, a wife and children at home and a place in history as one of the most successful sportsmen of all time.
On Monday, things looked rather different for the world’s number one golfer when he was divorced by his wife, Elin Nordegren, after a spectacular fall from grace.
The news that Woods and his wife were divorcing was not entirely unexpected. In the nine months since his life began to unravel, Woods has been the subject of more “kiss and tells” than the Premier League’s worst philanderers.
But whether it was alleged dalliances with a Playboy bunny, a lingerie model, a former porn star, a current porn star, a club promoter, a sex worker or cocktail waitresses which persuaded Nordegren to call time on her five-year marriage was unclear. Divorce papers simply described the relationship as “irretrievably broken”. Now Nordegren could be in line to receive an enormous divorce settlement, with speculation beginning at $100-million and soaring to $750-million on Monday night.
Confirming their divorce, the former couple issued a statement which read: “We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future. While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance.
“Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being.
“The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them as we adjust to a new family situation, which is why our privacy must be a principal concern.”
The couple will share custody of their two children, their lawyers said.
The cracks started to appear in Woods’s previously flawless image last November when he crashed his car into a fire hydrant in his Florida driveway in the middle of the night. What, on the surface of it, could have been an unremarkable accident took an unexpected turn when police reported that Nordegren had been spotted at the scene brandishing a golf club, and neither she nor Woods would talk to them.
The rumour mill quickly shifted to turbo as US gossip websites linked the incident to reports in the National Enquirer alleging Woods had an affair with a New York nightclub hostess, Rachel Uchitel.
Two days after the accident, Woods released a statement. He said at the time: “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.”
But it did nothing to stem the number of women waiting to tell reporters how Woods had got them pregnant, paid for their liposuction or slept with them on his stag do. He released a further statement on December 11, apologising for his infidelity and announcing he would be taking an “indefinite break” from golf. He lost sponsorship deals with Gatorade and Accenture, while other endorsement deals were scaled down. An attempt to rebuild his commercial reputation was criticised when he filmed an advert for Nike in which he appeared to be receiving advice from his late father — a marketing ploy dismissed as “cheesy” by his furious wife.
Woods went into therapy, staying away from golf for five months, and he kept his counsel until February 19. It was then that the 14-time major winner made an emotional apology for cheating on his wife in front of selected journalists and colleagues. “I was unfaithful, I had affairs, I cheated,” he said then. “What I did is not acceptable and I am the only person to blame. I stopped living by the core values I was taught to believe in.
“I knew my actions were wrong but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply.
“I never thought about who I was hurting, instead I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries a married couple should live by.
“I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me.
“I felt I was entitled thanks to money and fame. I didn’t have to go far to find them. I was wrong and I was foolish.”
Woods faced media questioning for the first time on his return to golf at the Masters at Augusta in April. He finished joint fourth behind Phil Mickelson, who has subsequently threatened to end Woods’ run as world number one. Woods remains without a win so far this year and missed out on automatic qualification for this year’s US Ryder Cup team for the tournament at Celtic Manor in October. He will require a captain’s pick from Corey Pavin to play.
Dangerous liaisons: ‘I have let my family down’: A Tiger Woods timeline
November 27 2009
Tiger Woods is injured in a car accident near his home in Orlando, Florida. US websites speculate it may be connected to allegations that he had an affair with nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel.
November 30
Florida Highway Patrol reveals they have still to speak to the golfer who pulls out of his own Chevron World Challenge tournament. The following day Woods receives a traffic citation for careless driving and is issued with a $164 fine.
December 2
US Weekly interviews cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs, who claims to have had a 31-month affair with Woods. He says: “I’ve let my family down and regret those transgressions with all my heart.”
December 4-11
A porn star, a waitress and a Las Vegas club promoter claim to have had flings with him.
December 11
Woods takes an “indefinite break” from golf to focus “on being a better husband, father and person,” he says.
December 30
Checks into a sex addiction clinic in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
February 16 2010
Porn star Joslyn James claims to have been one of Woods’ mistresses.
February 19
Woods apologises at PGA headquarters.
April 8
Features in a Nike advert — one of the few sponsors to stay with him — listening to advice from his late father, Earl.
April 11
Returns to competitive golf at the Masters at Augusta and finishes fourth.
August 15
Trails 28th in USPGA championship, failing to earn automatic place on America’s Ryder Cup team.
August 23
Joint statement announces divorce. – guardian.co.uk