Tiger Woods asks for privacy, confirms romance bombshell

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods has taken the rare step of going public with his new romance after weeks of rumours.

Tiger Woods is making it social media official.

The golfer made his first public comments about his romantic relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr, weeks after news of the romance became public, the New York Post reports.

“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy to all those close to our hearts,” Woods posted across his social channels Sunday evening.

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Vanessa also shared a similar post on her Instagram Story, in what appeared to be a co-ordinated release for the couple.

The Post had confirmed earlier this month that the pair had quietly started dating after a friendship developed into “something more,” a source had said. The relationship had been described as “not too serious” but that it was “heading in that direction, though.”

Tiger Woods announced his new girlfriend to the world. Image: Instagram

“They have a lot in common. They’ve both gotten used to public scrutiny. They both know how to keep their private life private. They’re both parents,” the source close to the couple told the publication.

“She’s not starstruck my him — she’d date him even if he weren’t famous. Fame doesn’t interest her; that’s what he likes best about her.

“But it’s not too serious, it’s heading in that direction, though.”

It’s unclear how the pair met but they both live in Florida, and Vanessa’s eldest daughter, Kai Trump, is an avid golfer.

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Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife Vanessa Trump. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP.

Tiger Woods and ex-partner Erica Herman. AAP Image/David Crosling.

She has competed in championships and often plays with her grandfather, Donald Trump.

Kai, 17, reportedly also goes to the same school as Woods’ kids, Sam, 17, and Charlie, 16, so it’s possible that Vanessa crossed paths with the formerly single dad at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach.

Woods has not been married since 2010, when he split with the mother of his children, Elin Nordegren, after putting her through a messy cheating scandal.

He then went on to date Erica Herman, a former manager at one of his flagship restaurants, for six years, but the two split in 2023 and were embroiled in a nasty legal battle afterwards.

Vanessa has not publicly dated anyone since she and Don Jr called it quits in 2018.

The couple — who share five children together, including Kai — had been living separate lives prior to splitting up, sources previously told The Post. They also fought about how much Don Jr travelled at the time, which allegedly made Vanessa feel “lonely”.

US President Donald Trump speaks alongside US golfer Tiger Woods, during a reception for Black History Month in February. Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP.

Prior to her marriage, Vanessa had a hot dating life that included romances with Leonardo DiCaprio and Saudi prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud.

After their divorce, Don Jr moved on with TV personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, but they recently called off their engagement. Donald Trump made her the American ambassador to Greece.

Don Jr is now dating Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, and even brought her to the same pre-inauguration event Ms Guilfoyle and Ms Trump attended.

Woods earlier this month announced he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, derailing his comeback plans.

Woods gave no timetable for his possible return from his latest debilitating injury. However the recovery time from an Achilles rupture can often last several months, which would almost certainly rule Woods out from playing in any of this season’s majors if his latest injury follows the same time frame.

The 15-time major champion hasn’t teed it up in a tournament since the Open Championship last July.

There are fears his professional career is already over.

This story first appeared on the New York Post and has been republished with permission.

Originally published as Tiger Woods asks for privacy, confirms romance bombshell