Article updated on December 18, 2009

The Associated Press selected Tiger Woods as the Athlete of the Decade.

During a period of turmoil surrounding Woods’ personal life and his infidelity to wife Elin Nordegren Woods, Woods received 56 of 142 votes cast by the AP editors.  A majority of those tallies were sent in after the controversial November car accident that involved the golf great.

Woods had 64 wins including 12 tournament majors and 56 PGA Tour victories and lost just one time with the lead going into the final round.

Cyclist Lance Armstrong who defeated cancer and was victorious in the Tour de France six times finished way behind Woods with 33 votes. Tennis star Roger Federer finished third with 25 votes.

Just days after receiving this honor, ABC News reported that Woods wife Elin would be seeking a divorce.

It was reported that “A source close to Woods’ wife, Elin Nordegren, told ABC News.com that a “divorce is 100 percent on.” this coming just days after Elin was photographed without her wedding ring.

Kate Coyne, senior editor at People Magazine reaffirmed the story when she told the Good Morning America show that “Sources have told us that Elin has told us this marriage is over and she is looking to divorce.” 

Related Articles:

Tiger Woods Incriminating Voice Mail Message to Female Friend

Hottest Athlete Wives Gallery – Elin Woods

Tiger Woods Transported to Hospital After Car Accident

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ORLANDO – The level of the whole scenario surrounding the Tiger Woods recent car accident keeps escalating to bizarre proportions.

While the Florida Highway Patrol just announced yesterday that it had concluded it’s investigation and insisted they had treated Tiger as any other citizen, this morning, US Magazine.com released an incriminating audio-tape believed to be Tiger Woods warning a female friend, 24 year-old Los Angeles cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs, that his wife Elin Nordegren looked into his phone, may have found the number and may be calling.

Here is the transcript of the voice-mail message: 

“Hey, it’s Tiger. I need you to do me a huge favor. Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone and may be calling you. So if you can, please take your name off that. Just have it as a number on the voicemail. You got to do this for me. Huge. Quickly. Bye.”

Here’s the audio of the message:

Woods had already dropped out of this week’s tournament play and has not been interviewed by the media since the accident. 

Related Articles and Photos:

Elin Nordegren Photos – Sexiest Athlete Wives Gallery – Sports Climax

Tiger Woods Transported to Hospital After Car Accident – Orlando Sentinel

Behind the Scenes with Tiger Woods on First Commecial Shoot – Sports Climax

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ORLANDO – When I met Tiger Woods in Orlando during the summer of 1996, he was in the final stages of prepping for a pro career, poised at the starting gate, ready to enter the world of professional golf, a world of guaranteed stardom and wealth.On this particular day, golf’s newest phenomenon was actually going to work to shoot his first commercial for Titleist. Not yet old enough to buy a drink at the local pub, Woods had recently signed an endorsement deal with the company for $20 million.

Tiger’s father, Earl, was also present and participated in the shoot as an on-air talent alongside the son he had raised to master the sport. It was evident Earl and his 20-year-old son had a special relationship making Tiger a natural at delivering his lines during his close up, “He’s a great father figure, he’s my best friend,” he said sincerely, his patented smile covering his face.

Earl was the reason I was present on that shoot. At that time, I was working in the film industry as a one-man medical staff on motion picture sets. Earl was known to be a very strong-willed man and although he insisted on publicly making light of his medical history, Tiger, showing love and concern for his father, directed the production company to hire a medical person to be available to tend to his father in the event he needed care.

Normally I spent my time on large sets with crews of over a hundred people bumping into each other, running around screaming for ‘quiet on the set’ or ‘Bring Mr. Hanks to the location’.

This day was pleasant and more personal. I spent the day driving through the sunny Isleworth golf course observing a father and son enjoying the time that had finally come for them to reap the rewards after nearly two decades of dedication and hard work.

Although Tiger had a mature side, he showed a few streaks of being a kid at heart. While the crew indulged in a mouth-watering prime rib and shrimp catered lunch, Tiger sat in his golf cart, feet kicked up, enjoying a sack of McDonalds burgers listening to the latest hip hop on his headset.

It was refreshing to see. Only a ‘kid’ would opt for a bag of fast food over a home-cooked feast. Only a ‘kid’ would replace the sounds of a steady breeze blowing through the trees with an earful of music.

I took a break between shrimps and observed Woods for a moment and couldn’t help to think that this well-mannered young man who reeked with confidence was clinging onto and enjoying the final remnants of his youth.

It was obvious his life was about to change drastically overnight and would soon include non-stop appearances and tournament play as well as daily doses of camera flashes and autograph requests during dinner on every night out.

That Titleist commercial would be Woods’ first of a long list of endorsements and accomplishments during his rookie year. He signed a $40 million deal with Nike, was named the PGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and hasn’t landed on the ground since.

After knee surgery and an eight-month absence from the tour that included the birth of his son Charlie Axel, Tiger returns this week to compete at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship and although Tiger is still ranked #1 in the world but some experts expect him to experience a little rust.

One thing is for certain though, if Tiger pulls from the inspiration his ‘best friend’ provided to help get him there, don’t expect his Nikes to hit the ground any time too soon.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Just days after releasing his baby Charlie’s photos to the world, Tiger Woods announced he will compete in next week’s WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.Remarkably, when Woods tees off on February 25 he will do so holding the #1 rating on the Official World Golf Rating chart, even after a 253-day layoff.

When Woods left the tour, he had a commanding lead in the ratings. A lead so padded, he remains in the top spot with a 9.895 rating, 2.05 ahead of #2 Sergio Garcia.

Since Woods limped off the Torrey Pines Golf Course in with the U.S. Open trophy and went on the hiatus that included major surgery on his knee, golf has certainly taken a knock in revenue and television ratings. The hype about his return has put golf back in the headlines and is sure to give the sport an economic boast.

With Tiger’s history of winning after returning from long breaks, most people expect him to step back onto the course, regain his patented swing and remain at the head of the class.

A majority of people answering an ESPN poll pick him to win the Accenture Match Play Championship where he is a three-time winner. Many of the experts, however, expect to see some rust.

When Woods won the open last year, he had approximately an 11 point lead in the ratings that has since shrunk to 2.05. Being competitive in nature, Tiger’s return gives him an opportunity to pad that lead and remain in the top spot where he has been a permanent fixture.

And with baby Charlie Axel adjusting to the world with his time clock out of synch, Woods has this opportunity to go back to work so he can get some sleep.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax