Tiger's '$1m to gag beauty'

Row ... Tiger Woods and wife Elin Nordegren argued over Rachel



THE first "lover" linked to Tiger Woods pulled out of a press conference last night amid claims the golf superstar had bought her silence for $1million.
Stunning socialite Rachel Uchitel, 34, was due to face the world at 7.30pm.



And her lawyer Gloria Allred had been expected to make a statement admitting Rachel had an affair with Woods.

But New York party planner Rachel dramatically cancelled the event, apparently after last-minute talks with the billionaire sportsman.

One report said Rachel was negotiating a $1million "hush money" deal.

Tight lipped...Rachel Uchitel.

She is thought to have talked to the golfer on Wednesday night after Ms Allred announced she would hold a press conference at which she would "make a statement about Mrs Uchitel's relationship with Tiger Woods".

Ms Allred is a celebrity lawyer known as a "top chess player".

And it is suspected the press conference announcement may have forced Woods' hand.

A source said: "Gloria was expected to make a short statement, just enough to get everyone excited about what Rachel may have to say.

Protect
"Rachel wasn't going to talk at the conference but would then have sold her story for a huge sum. "Tiger could have decided enough was enough and put a stop to it to protect what is left of his reputation."
Rachel, named as a mistress in a US magazine last week, has publicly maintained there was no fling.
But another report yesterday claimed Woods' row with his 29-year-old wife Elin Nordegren, which led to his notorious car crash, was triggered when she found him texting Rachel.

The report added the golfer's phone was smashed and the entrance hall of the couple's mansion in Windermere, Florida, was damaged during the argument.

It is suspected this is part of the reason dad-of-two Woods, 33, did not allow local police inside his home after the crash.

A tape of police interviewing neighbour Jarius Adams, who found Tiger drifting in and out of consciousness after the smash, emerged yesterday.

Mr Adams told how Woods, who on Wednesday apologised for his "transgressions" and "personal sins," had a cut lip.


He said: "I saw Tiger laying on the ground and Elin was talking to him. At that point he was actually snoring. She was actually very quiet, kind of in shock."

It was also claimed the mums of Woods and Elin were at the scene.

The golfer met Elin when she was working as a nanny for Swedish golf ace Jesper Parnevik.

He is a close friend of Woods but yesterday referred to reports Elin wielded a golf club, saying: "I hope she will use the driver next time instead of the three-iron.

"I have lost all respect for Tiger, especially as a father. It doesn't matter what he has done out there on the golf course."



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