Panama City - In what can only be described as an unusual set of circumstances, the Tiger Woods divorce saga ended Monday in Panama City.

Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren Woods were officially divorced at the Bay County Circuit Court House shortly after noon Monday. The question most people are asking tonight is, "Why bay county?"

Bay County Courthouse officials say the couple showed up for a hearing room at the Bay County juvenile justice court house on East 11th street with their lawyers to file their divorce papers. Usually this takes 20 days to become final, but immediately after filing, Tiger and Elin went to the main courthouse on 4th street, where Circuit Judge Judy Pittman Biebel expedited the case.

"This afternoon Elin and Tiger Woods came into the courthouse and filed their petition of dissolution of marriage to get the case started for divorce and they went up to the judges office and the final judgment was signed, so they are officially divorced," said Bill Kinsaul, Bay Clerk of Courts.

The court papers do not give any details about the monetary settlement, but it has been widely reported Elin will receive $100 million. The couple are to have joint custody of their two children.

Elin's lawyers released a statement on behalf of the couple saying they are sad their marriage is over and wish each other the very best for the future. It goes on to say the happiness of their two children will be of paramount importance to them. And, once again, they're asking for privacy. That desire for privacy may be why they filed for divorce here in Bay County.

"There has been speculation on why they came to Bay County. We think they were trying to get in and out an keep it quiet and not get much media attention," said Kinsaul.

Officials say the couple will not have to return to Bay County to file anymore paper work, and that this marriage is officially over.