USA: GOLF - Publicity photo of Golfer Tiger Woods on the cover of the February 2010 edition of Vanity Fair magazine

Record ID: 730713

  • Title: USA: GOLF - Publicity photo of Golfer Tiger Woods on the cover of the February 2010 edition of Vanity Fair magazine
  • Date: 6th January 2010
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA. (DECEMBER 2, 2009) (REUTERS) NEWSTAND PHOTOS OF TIGER WOODS AND HIS WIFE ELIN
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9MS0THWVW8TVG3TDLEFLDOLJQ
  • Story Text: The picture, taken by photographer Annie Lebovitz, shows the golfer 'working out' and has been descried by the Guardian newspaper as a 'raw' image of Woods.
    On December 11, 2009, Woods said he would take an indefinite break from professional golf, admitting he cheated on his wife and bowing to the pressure of two weeks of frenzied media scrutiny of his private life.
    The world's No. 1 golfer made the stunning announcement in his latest posting on his website in which he confessed "infidelity" for the first time, said he was sorry and asked his family, friends and supporters for forgiveness.
    Woods, 33, one of the most admired sport personalities on the planet and the married father of two young children, had previously owned up only to "transgressions" in response to multiple media allegations of numerous extramarital flings.
    The allegations followed a bizarre, minor early morning car accident outside his Florida home on Nov. 27 that rapidly ballooned into a full-fledged sex scandal that turned his previously unblemished life and career upside down.
    "I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children," said Woods.
    His previous perfectionist image was a magnet for lucrative sports sponsorships and endorsements, and according to Forbes magazine, he was the first athlete to earn one billion U.S. dollars, making him one of the world's wealthiest sports figures.
    "After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person," Woods said.
    "I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try," he added.
    Woods has been far and away the top draw on the PGA Tour. He is chasing Jack Nicklaus' record for victories in major tournaments and the unofficial title of best golfer ever. He has won 71 times on the tour in a spectacular career that includes 14 major wins.
    It was the early hour and circumstances of the Nov. 27 car accident and Woods' refusal to answer police questions, followed by reports he had argued with his wife that night, which triggered worldwide speculation about his personal life.
    Woods suffered facial cuts and bruises in the one-car accident, in which he hit a water hydrant and a tree.
    The Florida Highway Patrol has closed its investigation into Woods' accident after issuing a ticket to him for careless driving and saying no criminal charges would be brought.
    His Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, told police she pulled him from the crashed car after using a golf club to smash a window. Woods has paid his 164 USD traffic fine.
    As the scandal over his private life unraveled, more and more U.S. and British tabloid newspapers and media websites published comments from and photos of a parade of between eight to 12 women, including cocktail waitresses and porn stars, who claimed relationships with Woods.
    The media scrutiny prompted Woods to seek and obtain a British court order banning publication in Britain of any photos or video showing him nude or having sex.
    A letter from the lawyers accompanying the injunction contains a statement that "this Order is not to be taken as an admission that any such photographs exist."
    The February 2010 issue of 'Vanity Fair will be released on January 12.
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