Following the final round of the Northern Trust, Tiger Woods was asked to answer questions about his relationship with President Donald Trump instead of heading to the 19th hole.
While Woods evaded questions on the president’s track record on racial issues, he did take a swing at defending his former golfing buddy.
During a post-round interview at Ridgewood Country Club, Woods said he has known Trump for a number of years, played golf with him, and eaten dinner with him.
When asked about Trump “and his policy” and how some people may find it threatening, Woods gave his most substantive answer of the day.
“Well, he’s the president of the United States,” Woods said. “You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.”
A reporter then asked Woods to speak further about race relations, but he politely declined.
On Monday morning, Trump tweeted his support for what Woods did, and didn’t say.
The Fake News Media worked hard to get Tiger Woods to say something that he didn’t want to say. Tiger wouldn’t play the game – he is very smart. More importantly, he is playing great golf again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2018
Woods, of course, isn’t the only notable sports figure with a relationship with the president.
Tom Brady famously had a “MAGA” hat in his locker during Trump’s presidential campaign, although he has since made public comments criticizing the Commander in Chief.
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