Woods's engagement 'spoilt'
2003-12-02 20:11
Orlando - Tiger Woods criticised the owner of a South African game reserve on Tuesday for alerting newspapers to his engagement to Elin Nordegren and taking photos to promote the reserve's website.
"It was such a great moment in our lives, and he cheapened the experience because he was so self-serving," Woods said in the monthly newsletter he e-mails to fans.
"The only positive out of the whole trip is that Elin didn't say no."
Adrian Gardiner, founder of the Shamwari Game Reserve, was not there on Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.
Woods said in Florida Gardiner had promised to protect the golfer's privacy during a four-day stay the week after the Presidents Cup.
Along with telling the media about his November 25 engagement, Woods said Gardiner invited the mayor and local schoolchildren to the airport, then detained Woods and Nordegren so they could pose for pictures with the mayor.
"Saying we were uncomfortable and totally shocked is an understatement," Woods said.
"I'm disgusted about the way he handled things. I had been planning to ask Elin to marry me for months and wanted to do it in a private, unique atmosphere."
- AP