Death, job loss, divorce, multiple births and a broken marriage engagement all qualify for the break.

FORBES: Shocked

"It's not because they are bad or uncaring families, but it's to do with geographical distance, marriage breakdown, multiple caring responsibilities and longer working hours, " he says.

BBC: Is modern life making us lonely?

His 5-year marriage to Elin Nordegren collapsed in 2010 after multiple affairs came to light.

NPR: Nike's Tiger Woods Ad Draws Critics