Tiger Woods Helping Lindsay Vonn Through Sochi Olympics Depression

Tiger Woods knows what it’s like to be stuck on the sidelines, and now he’s helping girlfriend Lindsay Vonn deal with that frustration.

Woods, who missed his share of time from the PGA tour with a variety of injuries, is now playing the part of supporting boyfriend after an injured knee forced Vonn to miss the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Many believed the games would be Vonn’s chance to cement herself as the greatest skier in American history, but instead she is in rehab four hours a day, six days a week to try to regain her form.

“Trying to stay positive is not always the easiest thing in the world,” Vonn said on Today.

While Vonn is on the mend, Tiger Woods has taken an active role in helping her get back to the slopes.

“I’m very instinctual, I like to do things right now. I’m very aggressive,” Vonn said. “He’s taught me to stay calm, to stay patient. Focus on one step at a time.”

Though most people wouldn’t describe the fiery Tiger Woods as “patient,” that’s exactly what Vonn said he’s been through her ordeal.

“He’s helped me stay patient through rehab. Golf is all about patience — one tournament is four days long, 18 holes a day. He helped me take it one day at a time,” she said. “I’d say, ‘Why can’t I do this? I want to!’ And he’d say, ‘You’ll get your chance. It will come.’We’re good for each other. I don’t know what he’s learned from me, to be honest. But we push each other and help each other when we’re down.”

Though Vonn missed the Sochi Olympics, she still has plenty of chances to make her imprint on the sport of downhill skiing. The world championships will be held next year in Vonn’s hometown of Vail, Colorado, and she plans to be back to form by then. Tiger Woods plans to be there as well, patient as ever.