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Tiger Woods Explains Why He and Lindsey Vonn Debuted Relationship Via Facebook, Photo Shoot

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Tiger Woods attends the Chevron World Challenge press event at Hollywood & Highland Courtyard on October 11, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

Well played, Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn! During a press conference on Wednesday, March 20 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., Woods explained why he and the Olympic skier decided to issue public statements — plus a lovey-dovey professional photo shoot — Monday announcing they are dating.

"We're very happy where we're at," Woods, 37, explained of his relationship with Vonn, 28. But the two athletes, who have been romantically linked since November, also wanted to put an end to speculation and "limit" the attention their rumored romance received, he explained.

Related: PHOTOS: Tiger and his kids

By releasing a series of portrait couple photos, Woods explained, "We basically devalued the first [paparazzi] photos."

"We felt like it was the best thing to do," the golf pro said. "We're very happy about it."

Related: PHOTOS: Tiger and Elin -- the way they were

To confirm they are an item, both Woods and Vonn posted statements and pictures on their Facebook pages on Monday. "I guess it wasn't a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods," Vonn wrote. "Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over these past few months and it has made me very happy."

Woods also wrote, "Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating. We thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy."

Related: PHOTOS: Tiger's sex scandal revisited

Vonn quietly ended her marriage to fellow skier Thomas Vonn in November 2011 after four years, while Woods' marriage to Elin Nordegren ended in 2010 after his public cheating scandal.

A source told Us that Woods, who is father to kids Sam, 5, and Charlie, 4, had a heart-to-heart with Vonn when they started dating. "He confessed everything in his past to her and stuff — they're really into each other," the source explained.

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