Breaking up is hard to do — especially when you’re preparing for a major golf tournament. Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced their split on Sunday, May 3, just days before the four-time Masters winner is due to compete in the 2015 Players Championship. Speaking with the media ahead of the big event on Tuesday, May 5, Woods admitted he was coming off a “brutal” few days.
“Obviously it does affect me,” the athlete told reporters of the breakup from Vonn, without mentioning her name. “It is tough, there’s no doubt. I’m not gonna lie about that, it is tough.”
He went on to allude to the anniversary of his father’s death, which just happened to be the same day his relationship news went public. (Earl Woods passed away on May 3, 2006.)
“On top of that, this time of year is really, really hard on me,” the golfer shared. “This three-day window is really hard. I haven’t slept. These three days, May 3rd and through the 5th, today, are just brutal on me. Obviously with what happened on Sunday, it just adds to it.”
As previously reported, Woods, 39, and Vonn, 30, announced their split in separate statements online — which is also how they announced they were dating.
“Lindsey and I have mutually decided to stop dating,” he wrote on his website. “I have great admiration, respect, and love for Lindsey, and I’ll always cherish our time together.”
Acknowledging his kids with ex-wife Elin Nordegren — to whom he was married at the time of his infamous cheating scandal — he added, “She has been amazing with Sam and Charlie and my entire family. Unfortunately, we lead very hectic lives and are both competing in demanding sports. It’s difficult to spend time together.”
Asked on Tuesday how the troubles in his personal life might affect his performance on the course this week, Woods said he was used to juggling the two.
“That’s kind of always how it’s been. I’ve always had to deal with circumstances on both, deal with stuff outside the ropes, and once you’re inside the ropes it’s time to tee it up and time to play,” he explained. “I focus, I get into my little world, my little zone, and do the best I possibly can…for a five-hour time period…grind it out and win golf tournaments, because at the end, what I want to do at that particular week is win a tournament.”
