Tiger & Golf Digest Part Ways


After a 13-year relationship, Tiger Woods and Golf Digest have parted ways. The breakup was announced in a statement by Jerry Tarde, the chairman and editor-in-chief of Golf Digest.

The Conde Nast publication has a circulation of 1.65 million and is the world's most widely circulated golf magazine. The publication, which is reprinted in 30 international affiliate editions published in the native language of every major country where golf is played, has run monthly articles with Woods's byline since 1997.

But with the recent announcement, the name of the former No. 1-ranked player in the world will be removed from the masthead.

"We appreciate the insights Tiger has provided to our readers," Tarde said in the statement, which indicated that the split was amicable and not related to Woods's well-publicized affairs that began with a single-car accident on Thanksgiving weekend 2009 and escalated into lurid tales of extramarital affairs and the divorce last August from his wife, Elin Nordgren.

In a statement released by the magazine, Woods said: "I enjoyed my relationship with Golf Digest. But we have decided it's now time for a break. I wish my friends at Golf Digest continued success."

The two sides were apparently unable to come to terms on the expanding amount of time Woods would need to spend with the magazine. He's admitted to wanting to devote as much time as possible to retooling his golf swing to regain his previous form.

For the first time in his 14-year career, Woods went winless in 2010, and hasn't won a major title since the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He currently has 14 major victories, four shy of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18, and a total of 71 PGA Tour wins.

Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, told Bloomberg News that "Tiger is not in a position to commit to more time, so we cordially parted ways."