"I have been through the stages of disbelief and shock, to anger and ultimately grief over the loss of the family I so badly wanted for my children," she told People.
On Thanksgiving night, Woods drive his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree, setting off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife through multiple affairs.
There was speculation that Nordegren hit Woods with a golf club that night, but in the interview, she denied ever hitting him, calling it "truly ridiculous."
Nordegren said Woods left the house that night and when he didn't return after a while, she got worried and went to look for him. She said that's when she found him in the car.
"I did everything I could to get him out of the locked car," she said. "To think anything else is absolutely wrong."
The magazine said the interview was conducted over four visits lasting a total of 19 hours at the rented Windermere, Fla., home where she now lives with their two children.
Woods also spoke out for the very first time about the divorce. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Wednesday morning, Woods said he feels more sadness than relief.
"As far as my game and practicing, that's been secondary. We're trying to get our kids situated to our new living conditions and how that's going to be, and that's where our focus is at right now," Woods said.
Woods is in New Jersey for a golf tournament.
The couple officially divorced on Monday. They will be sharing custody of their two children.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
