Fine for Woods over car crash

ORLANDO, Florida // All Tiger Woods has to do is pay a $164 (Dh602) fine and his dealings with Florida authorities over his infamous car accident will be over. What hasn't ended is the public's fascination with his private life, which may get more complicated. Us Weekly magazine, which hits news stands today, features a cover story alleging that a Los Angeles cocktail waitress had a 31-month affair with the world's No 1 golfer - and that the proof was in 300 text messages. Last week, just two days before Woods crashed his sport utility vehicle into a fire hydrant and tree, the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess, and that they were recently together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters. The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by reporters. The world's most famous athlete will be cited for careless driving outside his home in the exclusive gated community of Isleworth. It will cost him four points on his driver's license, but he will not face criminal charges, the Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Woods, who was briefly unconscious after the crash, never spoke with investigators. Instead, he provided his driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance to investigators, as required by Florida law. The patrol "is not pursuing criminal charges in this matter nor is there any testimony or other evidence to support any additional charges of any kind other than the charge of careless driving," said Sgt Kim Montes, a spokesman for the highway patrol.

* AP