Tiger Woods is one of the most popular golfers of all time(Image: Getty Images)Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion who is currently sidelined due to an injury, captured global attention during his rise to fame in the golf world in the late 1990s.
According to a new book, ‘Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York’ by Andrew Lownie, he had an admirer in the British Royal Family. The renowned golfer had a well-publicized friendship with Sarah Ferguson, the 65-year-old Duchess of York, who married Prince Andrew, the son of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1986 before they separated in 1992.
As per the book, prior to starting a relationship with his future wife Elin Nordegren, Woods was among a number of American male celebrities – including John F. Kennedy Jr, George Clooney, and Kevin Costner – whom Ferguson allegedly pursued.
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As reported by The Telegraph, she expressed her interest in Woods to her friend and longtime media personality Piers Morgan, describing him as “gorgeous,” and allegedly flew 1,500 miles to try to win him over following her separation from Prince Andrew.
On a similar trip, Ferguson allegedly sought out JFK Jr.
“On a trip to New York, Fergie asked her staff to find out if John F Kennedy Jnr… was in town and, discovering where he was, she invited him for drinks or dinner at her hotel, which he accepted.” Lownie’s book reads.
Sarah Ferguson is a big fan of Woods(Image: Getty Images)While Ferguson never met Kennedy, she did meet Woods. They became friends, and shortly thereafter, she was photographed with the acclaimed golfer when he won the Byron Nelson Tournament in 1997.
She also stood by Woods as he fought his way back from a series of injuries and off-the-course issues to unexpectedly clinch the 2019 Masters title.
“Never have I been more proud,” Ferguson posted on Instagram in support of her friend. “Good days and bad days, Tigers’ heart is loyal, steadfast, and he is an amazing friend.”
Woods was married to Nordegren – whom he met when she was a nanny for fellow golfer Jesper Parnevik – from 2004 to 2010. The couple has two children together: Samantha (18) and Charlie (16).
Their divorce garnered significant media attention as Woods confessed to infidelity. Nordegren later began dating former NFL tight end Jordan Cameron, with whom she has three additional children.
Woods, 49, is currently in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. (the son of President Donald Trump).
The couple announced their relationship on Instagram and requested “privacy” in a post that received over 500,000 likes.
The Telegraph reports that a representative for the Duchess of York declined to comment.