The golfing star posted a message and photos on his Facebook page confirming his "very close" relationship with the Olympic gold medalist.
This
season has been great so far and I'm happy with my wins at Torrey and
Doral. Something nice that's happened off the course was meeting Lindsey
Vonn. 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. We want to continue our
relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete
as athletes.
Vonn posted her own statement on Facebook as well:
I
guess it wasn't a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods.
Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over
these past few months and it has made me very happy. I don't plan on
addressing this further as I would like to keep that part of my life
between us, my family and close friends. Thank you for understanding and
your continued support! xo LV
Rumors had swirled around Woods and Vonn for the past few months. Vonn
neither confirmed nor denied her relationship with Woods in January, but when
the golfer sent his private plane to pick up the Olympic skier after her injury last month, it was clear that they were something more than friends.
Announcing a relationship to more than six million people on Twitter
and Facebook with professional photographs is an interesting way to ask
for privacy, particularly when it's done on a Monday afternoon, a peak
time of Internet traffic. But we wish the couple well and will try not
to read too much into things, like their age difference (he's 37, she's
28) or how his Nike swoosh gets more prominence in the photos than her
Under Armour logo.
Tiger plays this weekend in the Arnold Palmer
Invitational. I can't imagine his request for privacy will be heeded
but, on the bright side, at least it will get the golfing press talking
about something other than his chances at The Masters.
Chris Chase, USA TODAY Sports