Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods has written a letter to a young boy who considered committing suicide due to his stutter.

The sportsman revealed in the letter, which was published by Golf Digest magazine, that he too dealt with a speech impediment while growing up.

The youngster, who is simply known as Dillon, dropped out of his high school football team after being bullied, but Woods has encouraged him to "keep fighting".

In the letter, Woods wrote: "I also stuttered as a child and I would talk to my dog and he would sit there and listen until he fell asleep. I also took a class for two years to help me, and I finally learned to stop.

"You have a great family, and big fans like me on your side. Be well and keep fighting. I'm certain you'll be great at anything you do."

The golfer recently split up with Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn after a two-year romance.