President Donald Trump had been telling Tiger Woods to get a driver long before a Florida judge took the decision out of the embattled golfer’s hands.
After Woods accepted a plea deal on Wednesday that suspended his driver’s license for five years, the president revealed that he had previously urged his longtime friend to stop getting behind the wheel himself.
“I told him that a long time [ago], ‘Why don’t you get somebody to drive you?’” Trump told Fox News’ Peter Doocy. “So he’s going to have somebody drive him from now on.”
Trump said he considered the deal “very fair” and defended Woods while discussing the golfer’s years of physical problems.
“Look, I know Tiger, very well. He’s a great guy,” Trump shared. “He suffers great pain, great pain.”
Woods, 50, pleaded no contest to reduced charges after his March 27 rollover crash in Florida. A breath test showed no signs of alcohol, authorities said, though Woods refused a urine test. Two hydrocodone pills were discovered in his pocket, according to an affidavit.
Girlfriend Vanessa Trump accompanied Woods to the courthouse for the hearing. Woods did not address reporters as he left.
Trump said he was relieved to see the legal matter come to an end.
“I’m glad,” said Trump. “I’m glad that was resolved.”