Latest Tiger Clippings, Barkley: "I think he is making a serious mistake."**

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Emily Smith of the New York Post scores an exclusive interview with Rachel Uchitel about the National Equirer story linking her to Tiger Woods in which Uchitel denies the facts as presented in the story. Based on the comments and no mention of Gloria Allred's name, it sounds as if she is not representing Uchitel (I've emailed Allred for comment):
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"Because of Florida's domestic-violence laws, admitting to the police that Nordegren in any way harmed him would virtually guarantee that the glamorous Elin would be led out of their mansion in handcuffs, even if he protested it."

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Since the first AP alert on Tiger's accident, I've subscribed to the theory that he needs to just say what happened, maybe crack a joke or shed a tear, and move on ala Letterman or Kobe.

However, evidence is mounting that Tiger has been correct in remaining silent, though not for the reason these two more columnists noted today (here and here, thanks reader Tom).

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FHP Schedules Press Conference: 3 p.m. EST

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Date:                    Tuesday, December 1, 2009
 
Time                    3 p.m.
 
Location               Florida Highway Patrol Station, 133 South Semoran Blvd. Orlando, Fl. 32807       
 
SUBJECT:          Updated information in the Tiger Woods single vehicle car crash.
 
 

Golf Channel Offering Half Hour Show @ 7 EST

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It was sounding so good until the Curt Schilling part:

Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, Rich Lerner will host a Golf Central Special: Tiger Woods, examining all of the news and providing analysis on the Tiger Woods situation.  Contributing to the show will be the network’s team of reporters and analysts including Steve Sands and Jim Gray reporting from California and GOLF CHANNEL contributor John Feinstein and business reporter Adam Barr reporting on Madison Avenue’s reaction to the situation. 

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"We're being given the runaround."

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Nick Allen in the Telegraph offers an update on the possible warrant situation and shares some insight from a "police source" about the tone of the investigation.

Officers from the Florida Highway Patrol want to establish whether Woods' facial injuries were caused by the incident, in which he hit a fire hydrant and a tree outside his mansion at 2am, or a domestic violence incident.

Last night two officers were seen visiting Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, Florida, where Woods was treated following the accident on Friday.

Police also want to see if the moments leading up to the crash was captured by security cameras at Woods' £1.5 million mansion in a gated community in Orlando, Florida.

Woods, 33, the world's number one golfer, and his wife Elin Nordegren, 29, have declined three times to speak to patrol officers about the crash.

They are under no legal obligation to do so but their decision has been described as "unusual" by police and led to a swirl of speculation about the circumstances of the crash.

A Florida police source said: "There is a feeling that the police are being made to look foolish in this matter.

"They have tried to be accommodating but it has been thrown back in their face. Tiger has refused to help on three occasions. We're being given the runaround."

TMZ now has what it claims is an accident eyewitness account.

And Lawrence Donegan files an in depth look at Tiger's backstory and how it plays into the media handling of the accident, with yet another excellent reminder of how best to deal with these things:

If modern media manners have taught us anything, it is that nothing works as well as the swift mea culpa. Woods, an avid sports fan, will know only too well about the case of baseball star Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, who, after repeated denials he had used performance-enhancing drugs, was revealed before the start of the 2009 baseball season to have tested positive for steroids.

Stephanie Wei takes a look at the media coverage and in particular, the golf media's take on the accident:

This is also unfamiliar territory for the media that covers him. Even though many columnists are prodding Tiger to tell the truth, they’re doing it for selfish reasons — they want to stop writing about it, too. It makes their jobs a lot tougher if one of the greatest athletes of any generation with a pristine reputation turns out to be a(n) (allegedly) womanizing jerk who is (literally) above the law. The media is so enamored by Tiger that even if he were to spit in an old lady’s face or slap a child taking a picture of him in the middle of his backswing, many writers would still probably find a way to compliment him on his competitive drive.

Tiger Not Coming To The Chevron World Challenge***

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As I Tweeted about half an hour ago, Golf Channel is now confirming that we won't see Tiger Woods at this week's Chevron World Challenge. Their sources are saying that doctors are advising against travel due to post-accident headaches he's suffering.

Here's the current field:

Tiger Woods**
Steve Stricker
Kenny Perry
Jim Furyk
Sean O'Hair
Lucas Glover
Stewart Cink
Zach Johnson
Anthony Kim
Mike Weir
Vijay Singh*
Camilo Villegas
Y.E. Yang
Paul Casey
Padraig Harrington
Lee Westwood
Martin Kaymer
Ian Poulter
*Justin Leonard (replaces injured Singh)
**Graeme McDowell (replaces injured Woods)

Latest Florida Highway Patrol Statement - 11/30/09

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Looks like they are trying to defuse some of the TMZ reports, but leading off with a reminder that Tiger is refusing to speak only maintains the intrigue...

As of Nov. 30, 2009, the Florida Highway Patrol has been unable to speak to Mr. Woods about the crash he was involved in on the morning of Nov. 27, 2009, despite attempts to do so.

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A Few More Woods Accident Stories-Monday Morning

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FoxNews.com is refutting TMZ's claim of a warrant search for medical records with a quote from the Florida Highway Patrol's Chief of Affairs.

"We don't need a warrant to get records, that is incorrect," said Florida Highway Patrol Chief of Public Affairs Capt. Mark Welch.

However TMZ now reports that the warrant may be in a quest to obtain surveillance video footage.

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Tiger: "This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me."

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Strongly worded statement. Doesn't address whether he'll play at Sherwood next week or why he is passing again on the Florida Highway Patrol interviews.


As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore.

This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. 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. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.


This AP story suggests that Tiger has hired criminal defense attorney Mark NeJame and that no other meeting has been scheduled. Here's Nejame's bio.

Listen To The Tiger Woods 9-1-1 Tape

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Very confusing as you can imagine when there's a shocking accident and at that hour. As always the operators are impressively calm and professional. Is there a part about midway through where we hear Tiger's mom, Kultida saying "What happened?" (I hope not for her sake, because no mother should have to go through that kind of scare.)

Here it is for download.

TMZ.com offers it here.

golf.com posts it here.