Tiger Woods is back to being a regular presence on the PGA Tour, a welcome sign for both casual and die-hard golf fans who have watched the 14-time major champion struggle with back injuries for most of the past decade.
But the sports world is a very different place in 2018 compared to the last time he was regularly in the spotlight. Woods finds himself at the front and center of a new political climate, and he doesn’t seem ready to rise to the challenge.
On Sunday, after Woods finished 40th at the Northern Trust tournament in New Jersey, he was asked by reporters to describe his professional and personal relationship with Donald Trump. Woods responded blandly, “Well, I’ve known Donald for a number of years. We’ve played golf together. We’ve had dinner together. I’ve known him pre-presidency and obviously during his presidency.”
When Woods was asked specifically how he would explain his friendly relationship with Trump to people of color and immigrants who are threatened by Trump and his policies, Woods pivoted to a riff on respecting the office.
“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.”
Finally, Woods was asked, “Do you have anything more broadly to say about the state and the discourse of race relations?”
Shockingly enough, Woods did not.
“No. I just finished 72 holes and am really hungry,” he said.
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
After dodging the question about race relations, Woods remained at the press conference and thoughtfully answered eight additional questions, about biomechanics, his playing partners, his schedule, and the Ryder Cup. Apparently, his debilitating hunger come and goes like the wind.
Look, none of this is surprising. Last year, Woods began his comeback by (quickly) joining Trump and current world No. 1 golfer, Dustin Johnson, for a round of golf at the Trump National Jupiter Golf Club.
Trump and Woods even have business ties — Trump hired Woods to design his golf course in Dubai back in 2014. And, as we all know, Woods has much more in common with Michael Jordan than LeBron James when it comes to speaking up about politics and issues of social justice. (Namely, he generally doesn’t.)
However, in today’s world, even Jordan is making statements against Trump. They’re vague statements that barely pack a punch, but at least he’s not sitting back and doing literally nothing while the president attacks black athletes, disenfranchises voters, and separates immigrant families from the border. At least Jordan is acknowledging that this is not, in fact, business as usual.
Yes, there is something intrinsically unfair about the fact that Woods will be asked more questions about racism and Trump’s policies than his white competitors because of the color of his skin. But Woods’ success, fame, platform, and, most importantly, his decision to regularly play rounds of golf with Trump, make the questions fair game.
Regardless, the next time a reporter decides to ask Woods about Trump and racism, they should have a snack on hand. Just in case.