Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 2 ranked golfer, joined President Obama over the weekend for a round of golf at the Floridian Yacht and Golf Club. The outing was a part of a three-day getaway for Obama, who also received instruction from Woods’ former swing coach and caddy Butch Harmon on Saturday. While the president spent the weekend golfing, Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, went on a ski trip to Colorado.
Obama’s golf weekend had been previously announced, but reporters were left unaware that Woods, a four-time Masters Tournament champion, would be joining the president. Golf Digest’s Tim Rosaforte broke the news on Sunday, but reporters were not allowed to join Woods and Obama on the course. The lack of access incited complaints from White House reporters, upset that the event could not be fully covered.
“Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the president of the United States this entire weekend,” Fox News correspondent and WHCA President Ed Henry said of the media blockade. “There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency.”
Woods recently won his 75th PGA Tour event at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He is still considered to be on the comeback trail in terms of his image after a very public 2010 divorce from Elin Nordegren damaged his public profile. During their round on Sunday, Obama told Woods, “The last tournament you played was fun to watch. It’s good to see you play well again,” according to Golf Digest.
Obama’s love for golf has been well documented. He frequently hits the course with friends and fellow politicians, such as former President Bill Clinton and House Speaker John Boehner. Since becoming president, Obama has played more than 100 rounds.
