Tiger Woods' Infamous Affair Exposed: Blackmail and a Hidden Deal

Details of Tiger Woods' extramarital affair with Mindy Lawton emerge, revealing a secret deal that suppressed potentially damaging photos in exchange for a magazine cover.

Tiger Woods' tumultuous personal life has been thrust back into the spotlight, with startling revelations surfacing about an affair that nearly derailed his career and cost him dearly. At the heart of the scandal is a previously unpublished deal between Woods and the National Enquirer, orchestrated by then-CEO David Pecker.

According to Pecker's testimony at the New York v. Trump trial, the Enquirer obtained photos of Woods with alleged mistress Mindy Lawton in 2009. Instead of publishing the compromising images, Pecker claims he brokered an agreement with Woods.

In exchange for Woods appearing on the cover of Men's Fitness, a subsidiary of American Media Inc. which Pecker headed at the time, the Enquirer would suppress the Lawton photos. The magazine would also publish a 12-page spread detailing Woods' diet, workout regimen, and marital status.

This deal provided Woods with a temporary respite from public exposure, but it could not contain the fallout indefinitely. In 2009, his affair with Rachel Uchitel became a matter of public record, triggering a series of events that would ultimately lead to his divorce from Elin Nordegren.

As the affair scandal spiraled out of control, dozens of women came forward claiming relationships with Woods, further eroding his reputation. The subsequent divorce reportedly cost Woods nearly $100 million.

Woods' personal life has continued to be marked by turbulence. He has been involved in a series of relationships since his divorce, including one with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn. His most recent relationship with Erica Herman ended acrimoniously, with Herman accusing Woods of sexual harassment and coercing her into signing a non-disclosure agreement.

Woods' on-course performance has also been marred by personal struggles. In 2021, he was involved in a serious car accident that nearly ended his career. Despite making a remarkable recovery, his recent performance at The Masters tournament was his worst ever at Augusta, resulting in a dead-last finish.

The revelations about the Lawton photos and the deal with the National Enquirer shed new light on the extent to which Woods has attempted to control the narrative surrounding his personal life. While he has publicly apologized for his past transgressions, the consequences of his actions continue to haunt him.