LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods posted a statement on his Web site Sunday in which he blamed himself for Friday's early-morning car accident just outside his home in Orlando, Fla.
"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," wrote the 33-year-old golfer. "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."
The statement was posted shortly before Woods was expected to meet with authorities investigating the accident. However, for the third straight day, the PGA star canceled plans to discuss the incident.
Woods struck a struck a fire hydrant and then a neighbor's tree around 2:25 a.m on Friday. His wife, model Elin Nordegren, told investigators that she was inside the couple's home when she heard the accident. She then came outside and "used a golf club to smash out the back window" to free her husband.
The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods has been having an affair with a New York woman named Rachel Uchitel. The tabloid claims Woods and Uchitel have had trysts in New York, Las Vegas and Australia, where he recently won the Australian Masters.
Uchitel has since denied the affair, telling Us Weekly: "I did not have an affair with Tiger Woods. I met him twice and have not heard from him since."
"The things that were said from the source in the Enquirer are in fact, not true," she added.
As for Woods, he's fully aware that the public is searching for answers, but he doesn't plan to discuss the matter any further.
"This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way," he said. "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," he ended.
Earlier Sunday, authorities released a tape of the 911 call made by one of Woods' neighbors after he crashed his 2009 Cadillac Escalade.
"I have someone down in front of my house," the unidentified neighbor tells the dispatcher, without mentioning the golfer by name. "I came out here just to see what was going on. I see him, and he's laying down."
Woods is scheduled to host the upcoming Chevron World Challenge, which benefits his foundation. It remains unclear if he'll be on hand for the golf event, which starts Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
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