Tiger Woods’ picture plan to scupper Paparazzi

TIGER Woods figured it was worth going public about his relationship with Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn rather than having paparazzi make money out of them.

The star athletes simultaneously posted messages on their Facebook pages this week to confirm they are dating. The 14-times major champion included four studio photos of himself and Vonn, both smiling in a casual setting, he in blue jeans and a white golf shirt, she in a light blue warm-up jacket. Vonn posted one of the photos on her page.

Woods has been fiercely private when it comes to his personal life, even before his downfall in November 2009 over multiple extramarital affairs. So why now?

“Well, it’s very simple,” Woods said. “We’re very happy where we’re at, but also we wanted to limit the ‘stalkarazzi’ and all those sleazy websites that are out there following us. I’ve had situations where it’s been very dangerous for my kids and the extent they’ll go to. We basically devalued the first photos. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is in our society right now and we felt like it was the best thing to do. I’m very happy about it.”

Despite his worldwide fame, Woods has never liked anyone making money off him. He once sued a painter for a series of numbered prints that included Woods winning the Masters in 1997. He had an island to himself when he got married in 2004 and brought along a golf photographer he knew to take pictures. After his two children were born, their pictures were released through a photo agency.

Woods is no stranger to paparazzi. Photographers hounded him and his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, after he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and his serial infidelity came to light in 2009. This was the first time Woods has confirmed he was dating anyone since his divorce in August 2010.