Lindsey Vonn: 'Tiger Woods is mentally tough'

Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has praised the patience of boyfriend Tiger Woods during her recovery from a near career-ending injury.

The 29-year-old has given an insight into her relationship with the world number one golfer, who began dating the skier following his divorce from wife Elin Nordegren.

The 37-year-old's marriage crumbled when reports emerged claiming that the sportsman had a string of affairs.

"He's very mentally tough," Vonn told the Today Show. "He's a grinder.

"He works extremely hard, and he's obviously also had an ACL injury as well and had the same surgery, so he knew what I was going through.

"He said just be patient, keep working hard, and everything is going to turn around. It really helped me get through it."

The couple have been in a relationship for seven months.