The pro golfer is currently dating the president's former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump
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NEED TO KNOW
- President Donald Trump has shared his support for Tiger Woods following the pro golfer’s rollover crash and DUI arrest last week
- The president said Woods “lives a life of pain” due to multiple sports injuries
- According to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Woods was found with two hydrocodone pills in his pocket at the scene of the crash
President Donald Trump is showing his support for Tiger Woods following the pro golfer's rollover crash and arrest on charges of driving under the influence last week.
In a phone interview with the New York Post on Tuesday, March 31, the president said that he had spoken with Woods since his arrest on Feb. 27.
“I think he’s doing great, he’s doing good," Trump, 79, said. "He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg."
The five-time Masters winner has had a multitude of surgeries over the course of his history-making career, including a disc replacement and a surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon within the last year.
According to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Woods advised deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office at the scene of the crash that "he’s had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg.” When he was asked if he had taken any prescription medication, Woods said, “I take a few.”
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Of his friend and fellow golfer, Trump said, “He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain.”
"He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain," the president added.
Woods, 50, passed a breathalyzer test for alcohol after rolling his SUV in the crash near Jupiter Island, Fla., but refused to consent to urinalysis to test for narcotics or medications. Deputies then allegedly found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket.
While speaking to Woods, a deputy “observed several signs of impairment,” including "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and "extremely dilated" pupils, the probable cause affidavit stated. Based on Woods’ performance during a sobriety exercise, the deputy said he “believed Woods’ normal facilities were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle.”
In addition to their shared love of golf, Woods and the president currently share a family connection, as the Hall of Famer is dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr.
Vanessa, 48, shares five children with Don Jr., 48, and while none of them were involved in Woods' crash, a source told PEOPLE that the golfer's DUI arrest did “raise some concerns” for the president's son.
“Don Jr. has been supportive of Tiger and Vanessa, especially when it comes to the kids, which is always his main focus,” the source close to Don and Vanessa told PEOPLE. “But the recent situation raised some concerns for him.”
The source added that Don “knows Vanessa can make her own decisions, but they’re a team when it comes to coparenting.”
“He’s just thankful Vanessa and the kids weren’t involved,” the source said of Don Jr.'s outlook.
Despite being involved in multiple other car accidents in the past, a local source told PEOPLE this week that Woods is resistant to hiring a driver, out of a desire for privacy.
The golf legend "doesn't want anyone to watch over him or know what he is doing," the source said. "And he thinks he is fine to drive."
The source added that Woods prefers to "hang around his home with his kids" and "despises public scrutiny."
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