Tiger Woods admits 'I haven't slept' following split from Lyndsey Vonn

Break up of relationship with skier coincides with anniversary of Tiger's father's death

Tiger Woods (GETTY IMAGES)

In the ever evolving drama that is Tiger Woods, heartache was not a theme we thought might feature. Yet it was an emotional Woods that addressed the golfing world at Sawgrass on Tuesday, admitting to sleepless nights after the break-up of his three-year romance with skier Lyndsey Vonn.

Though it is not known who flicked whom on Sunday, Woods was clearly upset at the turn events, which co-incided with anniversary of his father’s death nine years ago. “Obviously it does affect me [the break-up]. It is tough, I’m not going to lie about that,” Woods said. “And on top of that this time of year is brutal on me, this three-day stretch is very tough. And what happened on Sunday just adds to it. I haven’t slept.”

A month ago at his last appearance at the Masters, Woods and Vonn were the showpiece attraction at the par-3 competition, where Woods’ children, Sam, 7 and Charlie, 6, shared the caddying duties while being chaperoned by Vonn. The bond between the children and their father’s partner was clear, and for many observers the public display of domestic bliss suggested the relationship was deeply entrenched.

Woods has not appeared so vulnerable since his mea culpa speech at the same PGA Tour headquarters five years ago following the Thanksgiving meltdown that brought an abrupt end to his marriage. Two months later he teed up for his first tournament of the year at the Masters amid the greatest scrutiny any golfer has faced and finished fourth, demonstrating his endless capacity for compartmentalising his emotions.

He is grouped at The Players Championship on Thursday with Adam Scott and last year’s champion Martin Kaymer. As he demonstrated at the Masters this year, the early season short game troubles that forced his withdrawal from competition for eight weeks, are behind him and after nine early holes on Tuesday said he is ready to challenge for one of the five tournaments he won in 2013.

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn are breaking up after nearly three years together (AFP)

“I was a little bit rusty out there, but more than anything I was just a little bit tired. I have two days to get ready for Thursday and a late tee-time helps. Once you’re inside the ropes it’s time to play. I get into my little world, my little zone for that five-hour time period and do the best I possibly can to grind it out and win golf tournaments. Because, in the end, for me that’s what I want to do in that particular week.”

Woods absence for much of the season has seen him drop to 125 in the world rankings, his lowest position since his first year as a pro. His lowly standing excluded him from last week’s WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship, won by world no.1 Rory McIlroy, but after announcing a fuller schedule than normal this summer Woods is giving himself the playing time he needs to re-establish his rhythm and standing on the golf course.

“I'm going to start playing a little bit more now since I'm in some of these events now, not like last week. I'm able to start playing a regular schedule now and start getting after it. I've had some pretty good practice sessions. My short game still feels really good. We made a couple of little swing tweaks to keep improving, to keep working on it, to keep getting it better, so that part is still a little bit fresh.”

Though his heart is hurting, the wrist injury he sustained at the Masters is fully recovered. “It’s fine. I took a full week, didn't do anything with my hand. I was getting treatment every day through that period.”