SULPHUR SPRINGS (West Virginia)• Golfer Tiger Woods, who expects some improvements to his game at the PGA Greenbrier Classic this week, was romantically linked to a rival's ex-wife on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old, 14-time Major champion was again the subject of tabloid reports as the National Enquirer reported that he and American skiing star Lindsey Vonn split in May after two years together because she caught him cheating on her with Amanda Boyd.
The 27-year-old Boyd divorced Jason Dufner, the 2013 PGA Championship winner, in March.
"Even though Tiger dated Lindsey for years, he had a 'thing' for Amanda," a source reportedly told the tabloid. "At first, it was just innocent flirting but, earlier this year, it became serious."
Another insider reportedly said: "Amanda is gorgeous and she's known as a big flirt with the other players on the PGA Tour.
"I guess her flirty ways and good looks caught Tiger's eye."
The National Enquirer also said that Woods and Boyd had been dating "for months" and that he even flew her to Seattle last month, ahead of the US Open.
The report added that Dufner was devastated when he learnt of the alleged affair between the two.
Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent, told Fox News in an e-mail that the report linking Woods to Boyd was "absolutely 100 per cent false".
He also told the Golf Channel that the story was "categorically false" and a "ridiculous rumour".
Woods had a secret sex life with more than a dozen mistresses which was revealed in 2009.
The scandal led to his divorce from Elin Nordegren, with whom he had two children, in 2010.
The American has not won a major title since the scandal erupted, ruining his good-guy, clean-cut image. His endorsement deals suffered a huge blow as a result.
Woods is in the midst of the worst season of his career after undergoing yet another swing change.
The former world No. 1 has slumped to 220th in the rankings. He missed the cut at the recent US Open with rounds of 80 and 76 at Chambers Bay Golf Course, the worst 36-hole score of his career .
He has had to make adjustments on his swing over the years to ease the load on his battered body, which has suffered from numerous knee, leg and back injuries over the years as he smashed tee shots well beyond rivals in his younger days.
But he continued to back his swing changes and work with consultant Chris Como - the fourth swing coach of Woods' career who was appointed last November - despite his ongoing struggles.
"I know what I'm doing out here," Woods, who turns 40 in December, said on Wednesday.
"I know what it feels like. I know where my game is and what progress I have or haven't made. That's what I'm concerned about.
"I've made a little bit of progress. Obviously, that's not saying much (but) I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC
Day 2: StarHub Ch204, tomorrow, 4am
