GOLF : Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik has admitted he thought Tiger Woods “was a better guy than he is” after the world number one confessed to a number of “transgressions” in his personal life.
Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik has admitted he thought Tiger Woods “was a better guy than he is” after the world number one confessed to a number of “transgressions” in his personal life.
Woods issued a statement on Wednesday in which he apologised to his family for “personal sins and failings” amid continued speculation over an alleged affair.
Parnevik claims he feels particular sadness as it was he who introduced Woods’ wife Elin to the American in 2001, and he told the Golf Channel: “I would be especially sad about it – I really feel sorry for Elin – since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with him. We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologise to her.”
He added: “It’s a private thing of course but when you are the guy he is, the world’s best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff.”
Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home in Florida in the early hours of Friday morning, suffering facial lacerations which required hospital treatment.
The accident prompted tabloid talk of misdemeanours which led to Woods’ statement on Thursday.
The statement on www.tigerwoods.com read: “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect.
“I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”
The 14-time major winner was scheduled to compete in his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, in California this week, but pulled out on Monday citing the injuries suffered in the crash and is not scheduled to play again until next year.
On Tuesday, he was issued with a traffic citation for careless driving and fined �99 as Florida Highway Patrol concluded their investigation into the crash, having been unable to speak to Woods himself.
