On November 25, 2009, supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer published a story claiming that Woods had an extramarital affair with nightclub manager Rachel Uchitel, a claim she denied.[206] The story began to attract media attention when Woods had a car accident a day and a half later. He was leaving his home around 2:30 a.m. (EST) in his SUV, a 2009 Cadillac Escalade, when he collided with a hedge, a fire hydrant, and finally a tree down the street.Woods was treated for minor facial lacerations, and cited for careless driving. He refused to speak to the police and the accident fanned intense speculation for the following two days until he released a statement on his website. He took blame for the crash, but said it was a private matter; he also praised his wife Elin for getting him out of the car. Woods later announced that he would not attend his own charity golf tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, or any other remaining tournaments in 2009.
Interest in the story grew until San Diego cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs publicly claimed in the gossip magazine Us Weekly, that she had a two and a half year affair with Woods, producing voice and text messages that she said Woods left her. The voice message stated: "Hey it's Tiger, I need you to do me a huge favor. Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone...You got to do this for me. Huge. Quickly. Bye." Woods released an apology on the same day the story was published, expressing regret for "transgressions" and saying "I have let my family down." Woods was not specific about the reason for the apology, and requested privacy.
After over a dozen women claimed in various media outlets that they had affairs with Woods, media pressure increased. On December 11, he released another statement, admitting to "infidelity" and offering another apology. Woods' December 11 statement also announced an indefinite hiatus from professional golf. The day after the statement, several companies indicated they were reconsidering endorsement deals. Gillette suspended advertising featuring Woods, and said they would not be hiring him for any public appearances for the company. On December 13, management consultancy firm Accenture completely cut its sponsorship of Woods, stating that the golfer was "no longer the right representative."
On December 15, 2009, The New York Times reported that Anthony Galea, a Canadian sports doctor who had previously treated Woods, was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly providing the drug Actovegin and human growth hormone to athletes. According to the same article, Galea visited Woods at his Orlando home at least four times in February and March of 2009 to administer a special blood-spinning technique, and that Woods had responded well to the treatment. The Associated Press reported that Dr. Galea was also under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for "smuggling, advertising and selling unapproved drugs as well as criminal conspiracy".
As a result of his infidelity, Woods' U.S. popularity has plummeted according to a USA Today/Gallup poll taken in December 2009. The poll found that his "favorable" rating fell to 33 percent in December from 85 percent in June 2005, and 88 percent in 2000, and his "unfavorable" rating climbed to 57 percent in December from 8 percent in 2005.
Source:
Widipedia.com
Interest in the story grew until San Diego cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs publicly claimed in the gossip magazine Us Weekly, that she had a two and a half year affair with Woods, producing voice and text messages that she said Woods left her. The voice message stated: "Hey it's Tiger, I need you to do me a huge favor. Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone...You got to do this for me. Huge. Quickly. Bye." Woods released an apology on the same day the story was published, expressing regret for "transgressions" and saying "I have let my family down." Woods was not specific about the reason for the apology, and requested privacy.
After over a dozen women claimed in various media outlets that they had affairs with Woods, media pressure increased. On December 11, he released another statement, admitting to "infidelity" and offering another apology. Woods' December 11 statement also announced an indefinite hiatus from professional golf. The day after the statement, several companies indicated they were reconsidering endorsement deals. Gillette suspended advertising featuring Woods, and said they would not be hiring him for any public appearances for the company. On December 13, management consultancy firm Accenture completely cut its sponsorship of Woods, stating that the golfer was "no longer the right representative."
On December 15, 2009, The New York Times reported that Anthony Galea, a Canadian sports doctor who had previously treated Woods, was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly providing the drug Actovegin and human growth hormone to athletes. According to the same article, Galea visited Woods at his Orlando home at least four times in February and March of 2009 to administer a special blood-spinning technique, and that Woods had responded well to the treatment. The Associated Press reported that Dr. Galea was also under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for "smuggling, advertising and selling unapproved drugs as well as criminal conspiracy".
As a result of his infidelity, Woods' U.S. popularity has plummeted according to a USA Today/Gallup poll taken in December 2009. The poll found that his "favorable" rating fell to 33 percent in December from 85 percent in June 2005, and 88 percent in 2000, and his "unfavorable" rating climbed to 57 percent in December from 8 percent in 2005.
Source:
Widipedia.com
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