Why it’s hard to believe Tiger is heartbroken over Vonn, Cynics, start your engines. Image analysts, boot up your laptops and prepare the PowerPoint presentations.
Lovestruck purists, close your eyes and ears.
When we last saw Tiger Woods in public, he was proudly squiring girlfriend Lindsey Vonn around Augusta National along with his two children, Sam and Charlie, as he played the annual Par 3 Contest on the eve of the Masters.
It was the first time in 11 years Woods played the Par 3 Contest and it was a rare public glimpse into his private life.
As Vonn playfully accompanied Sam and Charlie around the course looking like a member of the family, not only did Woods’ personal life appear to be at an all-time high point, but his professional life looked like it was back after a terrible start to the 2015 season left many analysts questioning whether his career was done.As he arrived at TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday to play this week’s Players Championship, though, Woods hopes at least his game remains intact after a respectable tie for 17th at the Masters, because his personal life is smarting after Sunday’s mutual announcement that Woods and Vonn had broken off their relationship of nearly three years.
Woods, in a rare show of candor with reporters, revealed Tuesday he went three days without sleep after he and Vonn ended their relationship.
“Obviously it does affect me,’’ Woods said. “It is tough. There’s no doubt. I’m not going to lie about that. It is tough. And on top of that, this time of year is really, really hard on me.’’
Woods was referring to the anniversary of the death of his father, Earl, on May 3, 2006.
“This three-day window is really hard,’’ Woods said. “I haven’t slept. It’s been these three days — May 3rd and through the 5th. [It’s been] just brutal on me, and then with obviously what happened on Sunday [the announcement of his breakup with Vonn], it just adds to it.’’
Given the impenetrable wall of secrecy that has always been a part of his persona, him suddenly allowing the public to peer into his soul smells fishy. But it has seemed Woods has made a concerted effort to improve his tattered image in recent years.
This brings us to his relationship with Vonn, which always seemed like a match made in public-relations heaven.
To be fair, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors other than the people behind those doors. So it’s only fair to assume Woods and Vonn were truly smitten for their nearly three years together.Cynically speaking, however, it’s not out of bounds to speculate that the pairing of Woods and Vonn was mutually beneficial to their respective images.
Woods’ image was still (and always will be) stinging from his adultery scandal of 2009. And dating Vonn, the star skier with the good looks, instantly helped humanize him.
As for Vonn, her public image and brand were never more visible than once she began dating Woods.
Woods and Vonn — in prepared statements released separately but sounding like they were written by the same publicist — announced the end of their relationship Sunday.
Woods: “Lindsey and I have mutually decided to stop dating. I have great admiration and respect for Lindsey and I’ll always cherish our time together. 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.’’
Vonn: “After nearly three years together, Tiger and I have mutually decided to end our relationship. I will always cherish the memories that we’ve created together.
“Unfortunately, we both lead incredibly hectic lives that force us to spend a majority of time apart. I will always admire and respect Tiger. He and his beautiful family will always hold a special place in my heart.’’
So Woods no longer has Vonn, but he hopes he still has his game this week at TPC — particularly after the alarming start to this season, during which his short game looked like that of a 20-handicapper as he missed the cut in Phoenix and withdrew from Torrey Pines. He hopes his performance at the Masters is illustrative of the true direction his game is headed.
“I’ve had some pretty good practice sessions,’’ Woods said. “My short game still feels really good. I’m able to start playing a regular schedule now and start getting after it.’’
For the first time in three years, he’ll be “getting after it’’ alone. Let’s see how being single again suits his game.
Lovestruck purists, close your eyes and ears.
When we last saw Tiger Woods in public, he was proudly squiring girlfriend Lindsey Vonn around Augusta National along with his two children, Sam and Charlie, as he played the annual Par 3 Contest on the eve of the Masters.
It was the first time in 11 years Woods played the Par 3 Contest and it was a rare public glimpse into his private life.
As Vonn playfully accompanied Sam and Charlie around the course looking like a member of the family, not only did Woods’ personal life appear to be at an all-time high point, but his professional life looked like it was back after a terrible start to the 2015 season left many analysts questioning whether his career was done.As he arrived at TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday to play this week’s Players Championship, though, Woods hopes at least his game remains intact after a respectable tie for 17th at the Masters, because his personal life is smarting after Sunday’s mutual announcement that Woods and Vonn had broken off their relationship of nearly three years.
Woods, in a rare show of candor with reporters, revealed Tuesday he went three days without sleep after he and Vonn ended their relationship.
“Obviously it does affect me,’’ Woods said. “It is tough. There’s no doubt. I’m not going to lie about that. It is tough. And on top of that, this time of year is really, really hard on me.’’
Woods was referring to the anniversary of the death of his father, Earl, on May 3, 2006.
“This three-day window is really hard,’’ Woods said. “I haven’t slept. It’s been these three days — May 3rd and through the 5th. [It’s been] just brutal on me, and then with obviously what happened on Sunday [the announcement of his breakup with Vonn], it just adds to it.’’
Given the impenetrable wall of secrecy that has always been a part of his persona, him suddenly allowing the public to peer into his soul smells fishy. But it has seemed Woods has made a concerted effort to improve his tattered image in recent years.
This brings us to his relationship with Vonn, which always seemed like a match made in public-relations heaven.
To be fair, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors other than the people behind those doors. So it’s only fair to assume Woods and Vonn were truly smitten for their nearly three years together.Cynically speaking, however, it’s not out of bounds to speculate that the pairing of Woods and Vonn was mutually beneficial to their respective images.
Woods’ image was still (and always will be) stinging from his adultery scandal of 2009. And dating Vonn, the star skier with the good looks, instantly helped humanize him.
As for Vonn, her public image and brand were never more visible than once she began dating Woods.
Woods and Vonn — in prepared statements released separately but sounding like they were written by the same publicist — announced the end of their relationship Sunday.
Woods: “Lindsey and I have mutually decided to stop dating. I have great admiration and respect for Lindsey and I’ll always cherish our time together. 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.’’
Vonn: “After nearly three years together, Tiger and I have mutually decided to end our relationship. I will always cherish the memories that we’ve created together.
“Unfortunately, we both lead incredibly hectic lives that force us to spend a majority of time apart. I will always admire and respect Tiger. He and his beautiful family will always hold a special place in my heart.’’
So Woods no longer has Vonn, but he hopes he still has his game this week at TPC — particularly after the alarming start to this season, during which his short game looked like that of a 20-handicapper as he missed the cut in Phoenix and withdrew from Torrey Pines. He hopes his performance at the Masters is illustrative of the true direction his game is headed.
“I’ve had some pretty good practice sessions,’’ Woods said. “My short game still feels really good. I’m able to start playing a regular schedule now and start getting after it.’’
For the first time in three years, he’ll be “getting after it’’ alone. Let’s see how being single again suits his game.
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment