Tiger Woods had a ‘brutal’ three days after Vonn split

Former world number one Tiger Woods admits he has had a "brutal" three days following the split with girlfriend Lindsey Vonn.

On Sunday the high-profile couple announced they had “mutually decided to end our relationship”.

The timing was not great for Woods, coming on the ninth anniversary of the death of his father Earl, and as a result he has had trouble sleeping.

"Obviously it does affect me. It's tough. There's no doubt. I'm not going to lie about that," said the 39-year-old at his press conference ahead of this week's Players Championship, his first appearance since the Masters a month ago.

“And on top of that, this three day window, from May 3rd to 5th, is always really hard. So it has been really tough. I haven’t slept. These three days have been brutal on me.

“With what happened on Sunday just adds to it.”

Woods is no stranger to being the focus of attention both on and off the course - he went through a very public divorce from former wife Elin five years ago — but insists he has no issues about being able to concentrate on his game when it matters.

“I’ve always had to deal with circumstances outside the ropes,” he added.

“Once you’re inside them, it’s time to tee it up and time to play. You go into your own little zone and focus, and grind out and win golf tournaments.”

Woods is returning to action after his joint 17th-place finish at Augusta, having started the final round in fifth place.

During that last round he jarred his hand after striking a hidden tree root — after which he had to pop a bone back into place himself — and despite experiencing some restriction in the week following he is confident there will be no issues with his fitness at Sawgrass, where he played nine holes on Tuesday.

“I don’t know how (I fixed my hand), I pushed down on it. It felt it was stuck and not moving and I could find it getting tighter so it was like a self-adjustment on your spine, I just did it on my wrist,” he said.

“I took a full week avoiding lifting and grabbing. It was more the swelling; (I had) a lot of ultrasound, icing and anti-inflammatories.

“It feels good to be out there. I will play more tournaments from here on now.

“I am healthy enough to do it, my body is in the shape to do it.

“I’ve had some good practice sessions and my short game still feels good. I am very happy with my short game and the way I am putting and feeling.

“I just have to keep chipping away and keep building and eventually it will click.

“More than anything I’m a little bit tired but I’ve two days to get ready for Thursday — and a late tee time helps.”