Tiger Woods has described the end of his relationship with Lindsey Vonn as 'brutal', speaking publicly for the first time since the couple announced their split. The 39-year-old golfer said the past three days have been tough, admitting he has struggled to sleep.
Woods and Vonn, a former Olympic skier, announced on Sunday that they had 'mutually decided to end our relationship'. The announcement came on the ninth anniversary of the death of Woods' father, Earl.
Speaking ahead of the Players Championship, Woods said: 'It does affect me. It's tough. I haven't slept. These three days have been brutal on me.' The tournament marks his first appearance since the Masters a month ago, where he finished joint 17th after starting the final round in fifth place.
During the final round at Augusta, Woods jarred his hand after striking a hidden tree root and had to pop a bone back into place himself. Despite some restriction in the following week, he is confident there will be no issues with his fitness at Sawgrass, where he played nine holes yesterday.
'I pushed down on [my hand]. It felt it was stuck and not moving and I could find it getting tighter so it was like a self-adjustment on your spine, I just did it on my wrist,' Woods explained. 'It feels good to be out there. I will play more tournaments from here on now. I am healthy enough to do it, my body is in the shape to do it.'
