First things first: The citation issued to Tiger Woods by the Florida Highway Patrol for careless driving will only cost him a maximum of $164 -- which means it could be less -- so let's not start up a collection for golf's Billion-Dollar Man just yet.

All jokes aside, the negligible fine after hitting a fire hydrant and tree in front of his home early Friday morning should feel like another par save for the man who led the PGA Tour in scrambling this season.

While the announcement of this traffic violation quells any notion of further illegalities stemming from the incident, it still leaves many burning questions for inquiring minds.

Where was Woods going at 2:25 a.m.? How, exactly, did the accident occur? Why did his wife, Elin, reportedly need to smash a back window in order to free him from the vehicle?

It doesn't appear likely that we'll find out the detailed answers to such questions anytime soon, if ever. Throughout his professional career, Woods has remained mum on personal issues from swing changes to knee injuries. His theory: If I don't want you to know something, I simply won't tell you.

It's a strategy he has maintained in recent days, likely at the suggestion of his legal counsel. While it was not mandatory for him to speak with the FHP, three times officers came to his Windermere, Fla., home and three times they were sent away without comment.

Whether being chattier -- both with the authorities and through the media -- would have led to increased charges is something only those inside the Woods household know for sure, but the blueprint for handling the legal procedures worked to near-perfection, as long as he doesn't mind paying the meager penalty. With so many pundits calling for a clear-the-air news conference, this should serve as quiet vindication.

That doesn't necessarily mean the strategy was the proper public relations ploy for Camp Tiger, too. While he is off the hook for any possible legal transgressions, Woods will now face the court of public opinion while those aforementioned questions remain unanswered.

There is still a sense that something seems more than a bit askew in regard to the entire situation. After all, if Woods was -- as some of his PGA Tour brethren have almost jokingly suggested -- heading to a very early-morning workout and simply hit the gas pedal when he meant to step on the brake, why evade questioning from the FHP? Why not go public with the facts? Why undergo an intense cover-up of what took place?

If nothing else, the top-ranked golfer's squeaky-clean persona has been at least temporarily tarnished until the time when he decides to set the record straight. Of course, that day may never come, as Woods could very likely choose to stick to the current game plan and continue being as guarded as ever.

Hey, it's not like he has to come forward and issue a full statement. For a guy who earned $10,508,163 on the PGA Tour this year, Woods can encounter another 64,073 incidents like this before they really start hitting him where it hurts.

Jason Sobel is a golf writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at Jason.Sobel@espn3.com.