OnNovember27 , asthestorygainedtraction , mediaoutletsannouncedthatWoodshad colidedintoafirehydrantoutsidehishomeat 2:30inthemorning . ReportssaidthatWoods ' s wifehadbrokenthebackwindowofthegolfer ' s SUVwithagolfclubinordertogethim outof thelockedcar . Thegolfer ' sinjurieswerenot serious , andhewasquicklyreleased .
Theaccidentarousedsuspicionswithfansand themedia , whoinstantlypushedfora statementfrom Woods . Butthegolferremained silentonthemater , andmysteriouslydropped outofhischaritygolftournament , theChevron WorldChalenge . Hethenannouncedthathe wouldnotbeatendinganyothertournaments in2009 .
Asthesilencegrew , sodidreportsofother Woodsmistresses . OnDecember2,2009 , Woodsoferedanapologytohisfansand family , expressingregretforunnamed " transgressions ." Butasthemistresscount rosetomorethanadozenwomen , withphone evidencetobackmanyclaims , Woodswas unabletosuppressmediainquiriesintohislife . Woodswassaidtohaveoferedhiswifea renegotiationoftheirprenuptialagreementin ordertocompelhertostickbyhim , butreports soonsurfacedthatNordgrenhadpurchaseda homeinSwedenwithhersister . Photographers thenspotedtheformermodelwithouther weddingring .
OnDecember11,2009 , Woodsapologized againtofans — thistime , admitingtoinfidelity . Hethenannouncedthathewouldbetakinga hiatusfrom golfinordertotendtohisfamily . Severaldayslater , helosthisendorsement dealwiththemanagementcompanyAccenture , andwassuspendedfrom hisGilete endorsement . Othercompanies , includingNike , TagHeuerandEASports , continuedtostand byWoods .
WoodsmadeareturntogolfinAprilof2010 , butthegolferwasnotquiteatthetopofhis game . Hisfirstcompetitionatthe2010Masters TournamentinAugusta , Georgia , resultedina fourthplacefinish . OnMay9 , aftermissingthe cutfortheQuailHolowChampionship , Woods withdrewfrom thePlayersChampionship duringthefourthroundduetoaneckinjury . Woodsmadehisreturntogolffourweekslater attheMemorialTournament , butdeliveredhis worstperformanceinthetournamentsince 2002 . Atthe2010U . S . Open , Woodsfinished inatieforfourthplace .
Woods ' spersonallifealsoseemedtobetaking aturnfortheworse , asnewsofapossible divorcesetlementhitmediaoutlets . The rumored $ 750milionsetlementalegedly includedpropertiesinSweden , andthefamily homeinCaliforniaforNordegren , inexchange forhiswife ' spermanentsilenceonWoods ' s philandering . ReportsalsosaidNordegren retainedfulphysicalcustodyoftheir3-year-old daughterand1-year-oldson , andWoods agreednottointroducehischildrentoanew womanunlesshemariedher .
Afteryearsofturmoil , Woodsfinalygothisgolf gameclickingagainin2012 . HewontheArnold PalmerInvitationalinMarchforhisfirstPGA Tourvictorysince2009 . Thatsummer , he toppedthefieldattheAT & TNationaltosurpass NicklauswithcareervictoryNo . 74 , leavinghim eightbehindtherecordof82heldbySam Snead .
InMarch2013 , the37-year-oldWoods confirmedtomediaoutletsthathewasdating 28-year-oldLindseyVonn , aprofessionalalpine skiracerfrom Minnesotaandfour-timeWorld Cupwinner . Vonnwaspreviouslymariedto ThomasVonn , aformerskiracer ; thecouple separatedin2011 , afterfouryearsofmariage , andoficialydivorcedinJanuary2012 .
The2013seasonwasatriumphantonefor Woods . Hewonfivetournaments , includingthe ArnoldPalmerInvitational , theFarmers InsuranceOpenandthePlayers