Tiger Woods Offers Dramatic Mea Culpa in Wake of Mysterious Car Accident

WINDERMERE, Florida — Tiger Woods on Wednesday said the media stories that hinted at domestic violence following a fender-bender in his 2009 Cadillac Escalade last week "were utterly false and malicious." But, at the same time, he issued a lengthy apology to his family, saying he has let them down and "I regret those transgressions with all of my heart."

The statement was released on the legendary golfer's Web site.

"I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves," Woods wrote. "I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family."

He added: "I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin [his wife] has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect."

The apology follows Woods's single-vehicle crash, which occurred here early Friday. He crashed the Escalade, hitting a tree and fire hydrant and sustaining minor injuries. But the incident touched off a firestorm in the tabloid media, including a published report in US Weekly alleging an affair with a Las Vegas cocktail waitress. Woods refused to speak to police following the crash and was later given a citation. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that police estimated the accident caused $3,000 in damage to the fire hydrant and $200 to the tree.

Elin Nordegren Woods told police she used a golf club to break out the rear window of the Escalade and free her husband following the accident. But some media reports hinted that the golfer was the victim of domestic violence following an argument.

Woods had longtime links to the auto industry, serving as the high-profile spokesman for GM's Buick brand until the two parted ways in November 2008.

Inside Line says: A small fender-bender sets off a chain of events that damages the once-sterling image of Tiger Woods. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent