'Domestic row’ led to Woods crash

2009/11/30

MIAMI: Tiger Woods was interviewed by police yesterday following allegations that he crashed his four-wheeldrive after an argument with his wife, who was said to have attacked the vehicle with a golf club. The 33-year-old golf superstar’s Cadillac Escalade struck a fire hydrant before hitting a tree near his Florida villa at 2.25am on Friday.

His representatives have described it as a minor accident. But leading Hollywood website TMZ claimed Woods’ Swedish-born wife, Elin Nordegren, told authorities the crash followed a row over “a domestic issue”.

“Tiger gave the same story to authorities at the hospital where he was treated,” TMZ said Woods’ car hit a fire hydrant before crashing into the tree belonging to a neighbour.

His car hit the tree squarely, leaving Woods bleeding and unconscious. The row allegedly began when Elin, 29, confronted him over lurid claims — published last week in the tabloid National Enquirer and celebrity magazine Star — that he had romantic liaisons in the US and Australia with New York nightclub hostess and party planner Rachel Uchitel, 34.

TMZ claimed Elin scratched his face before he dashed out of their waterfront mansion and drove away.

“We’re told his wife followed behind with a golf club,” the website said.

“As Tiger drove away, she struck the vehicle several times with the club.” The golfer allegedly crashed after becoming “distracted” by the blows.

A copy of the official police report into Woods's mysterious crash outside his home in Florida shows that “charges are pending”.

The Cadillac is understood to have been impounded by investigators.

According to TMZ, Woods has been taking prescription pain medicine, “which could explain why he seemed somewhat out of it at the scene”.

Police have not commented directly on the reports, which were posted on the Internet late on Friday.

Officers first attempted to interview the golfer when he returned from hospital. They were told he was asleep and to come back on Saturday, but were then informed that he would again be unavailable and they should try yesterday.

On Saturday morning, Elin was seen driving away from the couple’s villa in a silver 4WD, her eyes shaded by large sunglasses. She ignored requests for comment.

In Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol received information that Woods and his wife were not available to be interviewed by state troopers, its spokesman, Sgt Kim Montes, said. “This announcement came from his agent.

“Troopers were asked to return tomorrow (Sunday).” FHP officers examined the scene where Woods crashed his Cadillac SUV near his US$2 million (RM6.8 million) home.

Woods was briefly hospitalised and released, suffering cuts to both lips.

Montes said the FHP are investigating the incident as a traffic crash, and there was no evidence to suggest a crime occur red.

FHP officers tried to speak to Woods on Friday afternoon, but said when Elin told them he was sleeping, they agreed to postpone the interview until Saturday.

An initial FHP report that Woods was in “serious” condition sparked a wave of frantic media coverage, and a clutch of reporters were camped out on Saturday near Woods’ exclusive gated neighbourhood in hopes of gleaning information.

In fact, Woods is not required by Florida lawto speak with the FHP, but Montes said investigators “wanted to give him the opportunity to tell us what happened in the crash”.

Woods’ only public comment on the incident was in a brief statement posted on his website on Friday, confirming he was involved in a “minor” accident and was released from hospital “in good condition”.

Despite his high profile, the 14-time major champion has largely managed to keep his private life private.

He and his wife have been married for five years and have two children, daughter Sam Alexis, born in 2007, and son Charlie Axel, born in February. — Agencies