In its September edition, the magazine published what it said was a satirical article lampooning tabloid journalism that linked Woods' wife to porn websites and printed a faked topless photo of the former model.

An emotional Woods attacked the article as "unacceptable" to assembled media at the K Club in Kildare before the Ryder Cup competition began. The magazine released an apology and asked distributors to remove copies of the magazine from shop shelves.

It is understood the offer of a charitable donation was made to Tiger Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg of IMG in Cleveland, by phone late last week.

Steinberg, who was quoted in a news-wire story making a veiled threat of legal action against the magazine, did not return phone messages seeking comment at the time of going to press.

"They're truly horrified to think they hurt people, " said one source. "It went wrong and they want to make it right."

The precise amount of money being offered was unclear.