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Few athletes in history have defined greatness like Tiger Woods.
With 15 major championships, 82 PGA Tour wins, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by Donald Trump in 2019, Woods’ influence on golf is undeniable. Now, as he finds himself at the center of golf’s biggest political and business realignment, he is also making headlines for a different reason, his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr.
Woods recently confirmed the relationship, posting images on social media with the caption, “Love is in the air.” The announcement comes as Woods plays a key role in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed rival league that has reshaped the sport. Just last week, Woods joined PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott for a White House meeting with former President Trump, where they discussed efforts to unify professional golf.
The Intersection of Golf, Politics, and Business
The meeting, which also included Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, underscored the stakes involved. With billions of dollars on the line, the future of professional golf hangs in the balance. Woods, long regarded as the face of the sport, has become an essential figure in shaping its future.
In a joint statement with Monahan and Scott, Woods said, “We share a passion for the game and the importance of reunification. Most importantly, we all want the best players in the world playing together more often and are committed to doing all we can to deliver that outcome for our fans.”
This isn’t the first time Woods and Trump have been linked. In 2019, the former president awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian honor in the United States—recognizing his contributions to the sport and his remarkable comeback following multiple injuries and personal struggles.
A Personal and Professional Power Move
Woods’ new relationship with Vanessa Trump adds another layer of intrigue. The two have been seen together at tournaments, including the Genesis Invitational, where Woods is the host. Their families are already connected, Vanessa’s daughter, Kai Trump, attends school with Woods’ children, Sam and Charlie, and recently competed in a high-profile junior golf tournament alongside Charlie.
More importantly, Tiger Woods is a proud member of the Black Delegation, through his father, the late Earl Woods, a Vietnam veteran who played a defining role in shaping Tiger’s legendary career. Though Woods has often been selective in discussing race publicly, his impact as a Black athlete dominating a traditionally white sport remains one of his most significant cultural legacies.
For Woods, this moment is about more than just his personal life—it’s about cementing his influence on the game, the business of sports, and the evolving landscape of golf. From the White House to the fairways, Tiger Woods remains at the center of it all.
