'It's tough,' Tiger Woods opens up on his break up with Lindsay Vonn

Former world number one Tiger Woods has opened up on his break up with US Olympic skiing champion Lindsay Vonn, saying the split has been “brutal” and “tough” on him.

The break-up was announced on Sunday, the ninth anniversary of the death of Woods's father, Earl, and the 14-time major winner told BBC Sport on Tuesday of the anguish he has had to endue over the past three days.

"It's tough. Obviously it does affect me. On top of that, this three-day window from 3-5 May is always really hard. I haven't slept,” said the 39-year-old.

"I've always had to deal with circumstances outside the ropes," he said.

"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 will play at the prestigious Players' Championship at Sawgrass this week, his first tournament since the Masters in April, when he finished in a share of 17th place.