Donald Trump and Tiger Woods: Friendship Timeline & Updates

Last updated: October 11, 2026

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Donald Trump and Tiger Woods are not a couple — they are two of the most famous men on the planet whose lives have been linked for over twenty years through golf, the presidency, and, most recently, family. Their bond is one of the most unlikely and talked-about friendships in sports and politics: Trump has called Woods a “very close friend,” awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and publicly approved of Woods’ relationship with his former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Donald Trump and Tiger Woods are close friends, not romantic partners. Their friendship stretches back to the early 2000s, when Woods began playing events at Trump-owned golf courses, and it deepened through years of rounds together, a White House ceremony in 2019, and Trump’s public defense of Woods during his 2026 legal troubles. The connection between their families is now even closer: Woods has been publicly dating Vanessa Trump — the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. — since March 2025, with the president’s full blessing.

Illustration for Donald Trump and Tiger Woods

Who Are Donald Trump and Tiger Woods?

Donald Trump is the 45th and 47th President of the United States, a businessman-turned-politician who returned to the White House in January 2025. Before entering politics, he built a real estate and entertainment empire that included The Trump Organization, a chain of luxury golf courses, and the reality show “The Apprentice.” An avid golfer himself, he has owned some of the most famous courses in the world.

Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. With 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour wins — tied for the most in history — he dominated men’s golf for more than a decade and became one of the most recognizable athletes on earth. After injuries, surgeries, and personal setbacks, his 2019 Masters victory completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.

Relationship Timeline

  • Early 2000s: Trump and Woods first meet through golf. Woods plays events at Trump-owned courses, and a friendship begins years before Trump’s political career.
  • December 2016: Just weeks before taking office as president, Trump plays a round of golf with Woods, signaling how close the two had become.
  • November 2017: The pair play another round together during Trump’s first term at his Florida golf club.
  • August 2018: Asked by reporters about his friendship with Trump, Woods says, “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.” Trump praises Woods on social media for not being drawn into the question.
  • February 2019: Trump, Woods, and golf legend Jack Nicklaus play a round together at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, just weeks before the Masters.
  • April 2019: Woods wins the Masters at Augusta National — his 15th major title and his first in 11 years — capping a legendary comeback.
  • May 6, 2019: Trump awards Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House Rose Garden ceremony, calling him a global symbol of American excellence.
  • February 9, 2025: The two play golf together at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, days before Trump attends the Super Bowl.
  • March 2025: Woods publicly confirms on Instagram that he is dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Trump responds: “Tiger, that’s good. I’m very happy for both.” The two families become formally linked.
  • March 2026: Days before the Masters, Trump tells Fox News that Woods will be there “but he won’t be playing,” sharing news only a close friend would have.
  • March 27, 2026: Woods’ SUV rolls over in Jupiter, Florida. Body-camera footage shows him telling officers he was just on the phone with “the president.” Trump publicly defends him, calling Woods a “very close friend” and “amazing man” who lives a life of pain but has no alcohol problem.
  • May 2026: Vanessa Trump discloses a breast-cancer diagnosis, asking for privacy. Woods stands by her through treatment.
  • September 2, 2026: Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving; his license is suspended for five years. Vanessa sits behind him in the courtroom. People magazine reports the couple’s relationship has grown stronger through their shared hardships.

Latest Updates

As of late 2026, the Trump–Woods friendship remains as strong as ever, now layered with genuine family ties. Woods and Vanessa Trump are still together — sources close to the couple told People that weathering her cancer treatment and his legal case at the same time actually deepened their bond rather than breaking it. Woods made a low-key return to public golf in September 2026, hitting balls publicly for the first time in months, while Trump continues to speak of him warmly. Find more explainers at AllAboutFacts for the latest on the pair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Donald Trump and Tiger Woods friends?
Yes. They have been friends for over two decades, bonding over golf long before Trump’s political career. Trump has publicly called Woods a “very close friend.”

Are Donald Trump and Tiger Woods in a relationship?
No — they are friends, not a couple. The romantic connection in the story is between Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., which Trump has publicly approved.

Did Donald Trump give Tiger Woods an award?
Yes. On May 6, 2019, Trump awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, weeks after Woods won the Masters.

Is Tiger Woods dating someone from the Trump family?
Yes. Woods publicly confirmed in March 2025 that he is dating Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr.’s ex-wife. The relationship has continued through 2026.

Faizi is a content writer at AllAboutFacts (hotteamnames.com), covering vocabulary, language tips, and everyday explainers.

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