Tiger: Crash my fault; rumors 'malicious'
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods said Sunday he was at fault in his car accident last week, calling it a private matter and decrying "malicious rumors" about him and his family.
The world's No. 1 golfer, in a statement on his Web site, said he was "pretty sore" with injuries from the accident near his suburban Orlando home.
Woods, 33, was hospitalized after his luxury sport utility vehicle smashed into a fire hydrant and tree about 2:25 a.m. Friday. He was released from the hospital later in the day and was sleeping when Florida Highway Patrol troopers showed up to speak with him. They were unable to see him again during the weekend.
On a 911 call reporting the accident, The Washington Post reported, a man tells dispatchers: "I need an ambulance immediately. I have someone down in front of my house. They hit a pole."
The celebrity news Web site TMZ.com said Woods allegedly told an unidentified non-law enforcement source his wife, Elin Nordegren Woods, scratched his face during a heated argument. The unnamed source alleged that when Woods tried to leave the couple's home, his wife began hitting the vehicle with a golf club.
A Florida official had said Elin Woods smashed the SUV's window with a golf club to reach him after the accident and dragged him out before police arrived.
"As you all know, I had a single-car accident ... and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore," Woods said in his statement.
"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again.
"This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible. "
Woods said his wife "acted courageously" in responding to help him. He said the incident has been difficult for his family.
"I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be," Woods said.
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Davydenko wins ATP World Tour Finals
LONDON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Russia's Nikolay Davydenko captured the ATP World Tour Finals in London Sunday with a straight-set win over Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro.
Davydenko, the season-ending tournament's sixth seed, accomplished his unlikely feat with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over del Potro, the reigning U.S. Open champion.
The 28-year-old Russian had knocked off world No. 1 Roger Federer, the top seed, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, in the semifinals.
Davydenko, who was runner-up to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the finals last year, is the first Russian to win the event.
"In 2009, (the trophy) says Davydenko forever," the Russian player said. "For my name to be there is something amazing to me."
The win meant Davydenko, who won eight titles this season, beat the four 2009 Grand Slam winners in his fifth straight year-end championship appearance.
The 6-foot-6 del Potro was denied his fourth 2009 title and eighth in his career.
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Italy wins World Cup of Golf
SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Italy's Francesco and Edoardo Molinari shot 4-under-par 68 Sunday and won the World Cup of Golf at Shenzhen, China, by one stroke.
The Italian brothers rallied to beat co-runners-up Sweden (69), the defending champion, and Ireland (70), the leader after each of the first three rounds.
Three straight birdie putts on the back nine helped secure Italy's first title, despite each of the top three teams owning a share of the lead during the final round.
"It (was) a tough day and we have been playing against some of the best golfers in the world," Francesco Molinari said after a winning total of 29-under 259 to 28-under 260 for Ireland and Sweden. "I think we deserved it as we attacked from the first day with every putt and every shot. It's really great for Italy."
"It's a pity we were not able to pull it off," said Ireland's Rory McIlroy.
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Virginia fires football Coach Al Groh
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The University of Virginia fired football Coach Al Groh Sunday, one day after a 42-13 loss to Virginia Tech capped a disappointing 3-9 season.
Athletic Director Craig Littlepage announced Groh's immediate ouster after a nine-year tenure.
"There is not a coach in the college game who has worked harder than Al Groh in trying to build a football program," Littlepage said on the school's Web site. "We are grateful for his service and for his commitment to his players and his coaching staff."
Groh, a former Virginia football player who also coached the New York Jets of the NFL, had an overall record of 59-53 with five bowl game appearances.
His teams had losing records in three of the last four seasons.
Groh had two years remaining on his contract, worth $4.33 million.
A national search for a successor is under way.
