INQUIRER Sports

SYDNEY - US golfer John Daly has urged Tiger Woods to tell the "truth" about the mysterious car crash outside his home, as rampant speculation intensified.

Daly, who has been involved in several scandals in his rollercoaster career, advised Woods to simply come clean on the unexplained incident, which left him semi-conscious and with a bleeding face.

"The thing that Tiger needs to look at is, whatever happened, just tell the truth," Daly told reporters in the run-up to the Australian Open here.

The world number one has stoked media interest by maintaining a virtual silence on the late-night crash into a fire hydrant and tree, and refusing to meet police.

On Tuesday he cancelled his appearance at his own event, the Chevron World Challenge which he hosts, citing injuries from the accident.

Daly said the 14-time Major winner should attend the tournament with his family, backing them to overcome the crash drama.

"Hopefully he'll go out there with his wife and his kids and support ... the sponsor of his tournament," Daly said.

"The most important thing right now is for them to be together. He'll get over this. The family will get over it. They'll move on. Golf needs him."

The fiercely private Woods has released a statement describing Friday's crash as "embarrassing" and lashing out at "unfounded and malicious rumors", while providing few details.

Police have ruled out alcohol as a cause, while media have aired speculation over a possible domestic dispute. Woods' wife Elin reportedly used a golf club to smash the car's back window and drag her husband to safety.

"I hate for something like that to happen to anybody. I just want him and his wife and kids to be happy and for him to keep pursuing the goals that he had," Daly said.

Daly, a two-time Major winner, has endured years of well-publicized marital and alcohol problems, spending a night in jail last year as he came "close to Ground Zero".