Two months after rumors began circulating, Woods and ski star Lindsey Vonn posted separate items on their Facebook pages to announce their relationship.

Woods dominated golf until 2009 when his marital infidelity with several women was revealed, leading to a televised public apology and a break from golf in a spectacular fall from grace that cost him several rich endorsement deals.

For Vonn it is a rare bright note in a season that has been marred by problems, with a stomach ailment seeing her hospitalised, her revelations of battling depression and her divorce being finalised.

Woods is not the only star golfer with a sporting love connection. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is dating ninth-ranked women's tennis star Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.