Is Tiger Woods in Seclusion in Dubai?

By Ryan Ballengee  www.waggleroom.com

This is intended to be fun and only vaguely serious.  I don’t know where Tiger is.  I frankly don’t really care all that much.  I just wanted to act like Columbo for once.

Tiger Woods Dubai construction

Tiger Woods has not been seen and photographed in public since his appearance at the Stanford-California football game on November 21.  Since he life has come under intense scrutiny following his single-car accident in the wee hours of Friday after Thanksgiving, no photos have surfaced of him, or him with his wife Elin.

There has been speculation that Woods is living in another home in Orlando, the guest home of his property in Orlando, and on his yacht Privacy.  With the Associated Press reporting that a first photo of Woods after the accident potentially yielding nearly half a million dollars, there is quite a global hunt going on to track down the secluded golf superstar.  It may be time to consider that Woods is in Dubai.

TMZ first reported that it obtained itinerary information for Rachel Uchitel to fly to Melbourne to be with Woods while he played in the Australian Masters.  That same itinerary then suggests a flight for Uchitel from Melbourne to Dubai after the tournament.  Then two days later, Uchitel was set to return to the United States.

The email signature from Uchitel’s forward to a friend or associate – also obtained by TMZ – is consistent with the email signature that was found in my correspondence with her from when I contacted and interviewed her on the day after Thanksgiving.

The Daily Beast reported yesterday that Woods flew Uchitel to Dubai “where [Woods] was to play in a tournament.”  That’s not true.  Woods was not playing a tournament in Dubai.  But, Woods may well have been retiring to his mansion estate at his Tiger Woods Dubai project.

Located outside of the population centers of Dubai in Dubailand (dubbed “Disney World on steroids”), the Tiger Woods Dubai is to be host to 287 custom built home sites and Al Ruwaya – a long-delayed 7800 yard golf course that is to be Woods’ first design.

Due to financial problems with the Duabi government and the project, the course has been indefinitely on hold.  Still, Woods is to have built a 16,500 square foot mansion in the development that is struggling to sell in the global economy and is largely incomplete.  Today, the Dubai government responded to questions from the press by reaffirming their commitment to completing the project.

Three days ago, Dubai Golf’s chief executive Mohammad Juma Bu Amin said in an open invitation to Woods to return to golf in Dubai, “We will be more than delighted to welcome you to Dubai. Consider Dubai your second home.”

The quote is curious considering Dubai’s strict anti-adultery laws.  Though more often applied to women than men, the penalties are harsh.

Deadspin reported today that Tina Trahan is a part of Tiger’s very close circle of friends the he normally works with to coordinate his global travels, including to and from Dubai.  Close friend Byron Bell – the same man purported to have arranged for Rachel Uchitel’s travel – also manages Tiger Woods’ design firm.

Provided that most of Woods’ vast real estate portfolio is in the United States – and nearly population centers – it seems unlikely that Woods would remain near where people can see him.

In Dubai, Woods not only has his name on a massive, largely undeveloped property, but also the full backing of the Dubai government in exchange for his services and appearances at their Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament.

It has been a good relationship for Woods to date.