A broken heart and sleepless nights won't distract ambitious Woods

Pro golfer Tiger Woods is not known to show too much emotion on the course or off it but the last few days have been particularly demanding off the former World No 1 and for once he was vocal about it.

- Golfer Woods and girlfriend Vonn announce split

As he wrestles with the anniversary of his father's death and recent breakup with girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, Woods admitted the last three days have been emotionally "brutal."

Sunday, May 3rd, wasn’t the best of days for Woods. The day began by his announcement that his near three-year relationship with US Olympic skier Vonn was over due to the strain of their respective heavy schedules, and the day also marked the nine-year anniversary of his father Earl's death.

"Obviously it does affect me. It is tough. There's no doubt. I'm not going to lie about that," said Woods.

"This time of year is really, really hard on me. This three-day window is really hard. I haven't slept. These last three days ... is just brutal on me, and then with obviously what happened on Sunday, it just adds to it."

Despite the ‘distractions’, Woods is ready for the big fight at this week’s Players Championship --widely regarded as golf's unofficial fifth major.

"I've had some pretty good practice sessions. My short game still feels really good, and we made a couple little swing tweaks," said Woods, the winner of the 2013 edition of the tournament.

"I've always had to deal with circumstances and stuff outside the ropes, and once you're inside the ropes it's time to tee it up and time to play."