The accident came at a time when media speculation had begun to surround Woods’ personal life and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the crash sent the rumour-mill into overdrive. As a result, Woods was forced into admitting allegations of infidelity, stating, "I regret the transgressions with all my heart". A week later and the world of golf had indefinitely lost its greatest ever player, as the American announced he was taking a break from the sport to focus his attention on "being a better husband, father and person."

Since the revelations, a succession of companies including AT&T, Gillette and Tag Heuer, have withdrawn, or limited their sponsorship of Woods. The wide range of endorsements he undertook highlights the appeal and wholesomeness that came with the Woods brand and his clean-cut reputation made last month’s developments all the more stunning.

Woods is not the first sporting star to fall foul of public scandal. Few come in a more wholesome and clean-cut package than David Beckham, but even he became embroiled in a media frenzy that threatened to de-rail his career when his translator Rebecca Loos claimed the couple had had an affair. Beckham’s England team-mate Ashley Cole suffered a similar fate in 2008 when he was discovered to have been cheating on wife Cheryl Cole.

Closer to home in golfing circles, John Daly has been plagued by marriage, alcohol and gambling problems throughout his career, having struggled with the lonely life of playing on the PGA tour. Though golf professionals are in a privileged position, with no end of perks, the pressures and demands of their work are well documented. Players can go weeks and months without going home, moving from one hotel to another without seeing family and friends. With their livelihoods depending on every swing of the golf club, the game is certainly high pressure.

This cannot excuse Woods’ behaviour, but many will sympathise with him and there is no doubt, that golf has suffered a major loss as a result of his hiatus. The game was unfashionable and without star quality before Tiger burst onto the scene, with his guts and genius breathing fresh life into the sport. Viewing figures will no doubt fall in his absence and though the likes of Mickelson, Garcia and Harrington will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of Tiger-less tournaments, both television networks and fans will be rueing the loss; be it temporary or permanent.

Having let down his family, sponsors and supporters, by his own admission, it may not be possible for Woods to ‘repair the damage’ he has caused. For the sake of golf however, people will hope that his personal issues can be resolved and that a comeback can be made.