Tiger Woods' scandal resurfaced after Phil Mickelson's lewd allegations. On November 27, 2009, Woods was involved in a bizarre late-night car crash outside his Florida mansion.
What happened?
The crash led to a sprawling scandal involving dozens of mistresses, high-end escorts, and a double life that no one in the public eye had suspected. In the weeks following his accident, a barrage of women came forward claiming to have had affairs with the married golfer.
Tiger Woods admitted to cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren, and the couple ended their marriage in August 2010. Woods allegedly paid for sex with prostitutes and held sex parties with multiple women.
Why it matters for Tiger Woods
The scandal damaged Woods' reputation and led to a loss of sponsorships. On December 11, 2009, Woods wrote on his official website, "I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children."
Tiger Woods' father, Earl Woods, died in 2006, which marked the beginning of Woods' downward spiral. He began making regular trips to Las Vegas, where he would spend six figures in a weekend on prostitutes and partying.
What comes next?
A two-part HBO documentary released in 2021 brought to light more details about Woods' affairs and sex parties. Tiffany Masters, a VIP host in Vegas, claimed that Woods was constantly enabled, with Masters describing the city as a drug Woods kept returning to for "another hit and another hit."
Michelle Braun, a former madam, revealed that Woods had a "particular type" and would request multiple girls at a time. Former escort Loredana Jolie shed light on the bizarre nature of these gatherings, stating that Woods was into role-playing and would dress up in a suit.
The National Enquirer linked Woods to Rachel Uchitel, a high-profile nightclub hostess, in 2009. Uchitel was famously caught visiting Woods in Melbourne during the 2009 Australian Masters.
Tiger Woods publicly admitted to cheating on his wife and asked for forgiveness. On June 26, 2026, Alan Shipnuck drew a comparison between Mickelson and Woods, stating that Mickelson may now be facing his own reckoning.
The scandal surrounding Tiger Woods serves as a reminder of the consequences of his actions. Woods' reputation was severely damaged, and he lost several sponsorships as a result.
Tiger Woods' story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living a double life. His scandal resurfacing after Phil Mickelson's allegations highlights the importance of accountability and the consequences of one's actions.