Model Elin Nordegren divorces Tiger Woods following sex scandal

Tiger Woods and Swedish model wife Elin Nordegren divorced on Monday, their marriage “irretrievably broken” by a blistering sex scandal that has left the world number one golfer’s life in disarray.

Mr Woods, 34, and Ms Nordegren, 30, issued an amicable joint statement, saying they were sad to be ending their six-year marriage, wishing each other the best and promising to work together for their children’s happiness.

“We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future,” it said.

“While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us.” In Ms Nordegren’s petition for divorce, filed at the beginning of last month, she claimed the marriage was “irretrievably broken” and asked for her maiden name to be restored.

Mr Woods and Ms Nordegren attended Monday’s execution of the divorce at a court in Panama City, Florida, where they agreed to “share parenting” of their children. Both had attended the obligatory parenting classes, the court documents showed.

The couple have a three-­year-old daughter, Sam, and a ­19-month-old son, Charlie.

Ms Nordegren’s lawyer, contacted by AFP, could provide no information about the terms of her divorce settlement, valued in media reports at anywhere between $100 million and $500 million.

Mr Woods’s spectacular fall from grace began on November 27 last year when he crashed his car into a tree and a fire hydrant near his Orlando home.

The incident touched off a massive sex scandal, leading to his admission of adultery and subsequent decision to put his golf career on hold while he tried to rescue his marriage.

According to Forbes business magazine, he was the first athlete to have broken through the $1billion earnings mark.

Nine months after the sex scandal first broke, Mr Woods enters this week’s opening event of the US PGA Tour season-ending playoffs without a win this year.

How the golfer’s world went into meltdown

A mystery early morning car crash outside his Florida home was only the tip of the iceberg for troubled golfer Tiger Woods. Here is how the drama unfolded.

2009

November 27

• Reports emerge that Mr Woods was injured in a car accident near his Florida home after colliding with a fire hydrant and a tree.

• US gossip websites begin speculating that the incident may be connected to reports earlier that week in the National Enquirer alleging an affair with New York nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel.

November 29

• Mr Woods releases a statement on his website admitting full blame for the incident. The release continued: “I’m human and I’m not perfect.”

November 30

• Mr Woods confirms he will miss his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge.

December 1

• Mr Woods is issued with a traffic citation for careless driving and a $164 fine. Officials declare the investigation over, confirming no criminal charges would follow.

December 2

• US Weekly runs an interview with waitress Jaimee Grubbs, who claims she had a two-and-a-half-year affair with the golfer.

• Mr Woods pens a new, emotional statement on his website. Comments include: “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart.”

December 3

• Swedish golfer Jesper Parn­evik says he owes Elin Norde-gren an apology for introducing her to Mr Woods in 2001. “We probably thought he was a better guy than he is,” Parnevik says.

• Uchitel, who previously denied reports she had an affair with Mr Woods, cancels a planned press conference due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

December 4-11

• A flurry of claims are made by other women alleging to have had a fling with Mr Woods.

Among those alleged to have bedded the golfer are a porn star and a pancake house waitress.

At least 10 women are linked to Mr Woods in tabloids and US showbiz websites.

December 8

• Sports drink firm Gatorade becomes the first company to drop its endorsement of Mr Woods.

December 9

• The growing impact of the allegations on Mr Woods’s earning power starts to emerge after adverts featuring Mr Woods disappear from prime-time US television broadcasts.

December 10

• Uchitel, the US socialite at the centre of the Mr Woods affair allegations uses a magazine interview to deny she is a “home-wrecker” or “tramp”.

The 34-year-old nightclub hostess told OK! magazine: “In every story you need a villain and a hero. I’ve been characterised as a villain.”

December 11

• Jamie Jungers, one of Mr Woods’s alleged mistresses, says she was left broken-hearted following the end of their relationship.

• The 26-year-old, who claims to have conducted an 18-month affair with the golfer, tells NBC’s Today programme that she got “nothing out of this relationship but a broken heart”.

• Mr Woods releases his most personal statement yet, saying he is taking an “indefinite break” from golf and apologising for his “infidelity”.

December 12

• One of the golfer’s major sponsors, shaving giant Gillette, distances itself from Mr Woods saying it is “limiting his role” in marketing to “support his desire for privacy”.

• His main sponsor, Nike, stands by him.

December 13

• The problems mount for Mr Woods as another sponsor, US phone firm AT&T, confirms it is “presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him”.

• Later, global management consultancy Accenture says it will not continue its sponsorship agreement with the golfer.

2010

February 19

• Mr Woods breaks his silence, telling a news conference: “I’m deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behaviour.”

March 16

• Mr Woods announces his return to golf - at the US Masters on April 8. He finishes fourth.

June 20

• He finishes in a tie for fourth at the US Open after a closing 75.

July 18

• He manages only 23rd place at the Open Championship.

August 15

• His dismal run of form continues with a 28th-place finish at the USPGA Championship, meaning he fails to earn an automatic spot on America’s Ryder Cup team and needs one of captain Corey Pavin’s four wild cards on September 7.

August 23

• Mr Woods and Nordegren release a joint statement through lawyers announcing their divorce.