Tiger Woods Opens Up On President Trump’s Brush With Death: ‘Didn’t Sleep At All’

On Saturday during his campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump suffered a gunshot wound to his right ear. The assailant, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, fired eight rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from a building approximately 400 feet away from the stage.

The shock of the assassination attempt reverberated across the nation affecting Americans from all walks of life, including high-profile figures like Tiger Woods. As Woods landed at Royal Troon earlier in the week, the gravity of the event was palpable of how deeply such national crises can impact even those far removed from the political arena.

Woods had been following news of the incident during his flight. Instead of arriving refreshed for a Sunday practice round ahead of this week’s 152nd Open Championship at the Scottish links, the 48-year-old shared with BBC Sport, “I didn’t accomplish a lot because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.”

“It was a long night [because of the assassination attempt] and that’s all we watched the entire time on the way over here,” Woods said. “I didn’t sleep at all on the flight, and then we just got on the golf course.”

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Tiger Woods and his family Monday, May 6, 2019, in the Rose Garden of the White House. The recipient’s family from left, girlfriend Erica Herman, mother Kultida Woods, daughter Sam Woods, son Charlie Woods and Tiger Woods. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

The attack not only wounded Trump, who is to be the Republican candidate, but also resulted in the death of audience member Corey Comperatore, and left two others critically injured. Crooks was subsequently killed by a counter-sniper team from the U.S. Secret Service.

Both Woods and Trump are avid golfers, and this shared passion has been a significant foundation of their relationship. Trump owns several golf courses, and Woods has played at Trump-owned courses on multiple occasions. Their golfing encounters have often been public and well-covered by the media.

In the past Trump has publicly praised Woods on several occasions, particularly highlighting his skills and contributions to the sport of golf. After Woods won the Masters in 2019, Trump tweeted his congratulations and later awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian awards in the United States. During the ceremony, Trump described Woods as a “true legend” and “global symbol of American excellence, devotion, and drive.”

WATCH:

The awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Woods by President Trump in May 2019 was also a significant moment in their relationship. The medal was awarded in recognition of Woods’ contributions to golf and his comeback in the sport after personal and physical challenges.

Woods has faced criticism for his association with Trump, however, particularly from those who opposed Trump’s policies and presidency. However, Woods has typically avoided political commentary and maintained that his relationship with Trump is based on golf and personal interactions rather than politics. In 2018, when asked about his relationship with Trump, Woods emphasized respect for the office of the president and noted that he had known Trump for many years, even before he became president.

(FREE RED HAT: “Impeached. Arrested. Convicted. Shot. Still Standing”)