OK! EXCLUSIVE: Elin's Battle for the Kids

Enduring months of husband Tiger Woods' sex scadal, Elin Nordegren is desperate to escape the sordid affair and raise her children, Sam, 2, and Charlie, 15 months, in her homeland of Sweden. "Elin is working around the clock to cut a custody deal that will allow her to permanently move herself and the kids to Sweden," a friend of Elin tells OK!.

OK! GALLERY: ELIN MAINTAINS MOM ROUTINE WHILE TIGER PREPS FOR THE MASTERS

OK! has exclusively learned that Tiger knows he can't fight her decision to decamp to Sweden, but has retained high-power international custody lawyer Thomas Sasser to make sure he doesn't lose control over the kids when she gets there.

OK! NEWS: ELIN IN TEARS OVER TIGER AD

Meanwhile, "Elin is fighting for sole custody," says the insider. "Tiger is having none of it." Legally, she has every right to relocate. "She can establish residency with the kids in Sweden," says Joe Langlois, an L.A. celebrity lawyer.

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Elin just wants to shield her children from the scandal, not punish Tiger. "Elin would never, ever stop him from seeing them" the friend says.

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