Turning 50 and suffering over 30 injuries in just as long a professional career usually makes one wonder if they should just call it a day. The thought for the 82-time PGA Tour champion, Tiger Woods, was no different. However, just then, Vanessa Trump walked into his life, giving him more clarity and stability. After seeing the couple, Woods’ ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, didn’t mind giving her blessings, as reported by Woods’ close source to The Daily Mail.

“Tiger knew it was going to get out eventually, so he had to make the phone call to Elin before his love life ended up in the newspapers again. He’s made this call before about other women – but never like this,” the source told The Daily Mail.  “Her response at first was like, ‘Seriously? A Trump? For real?’ She was more amused than anything. But she really quickly just accepted it.”

Nordegren and Woods divorced in 2010 after their marriage collapsed under the weight of controversies and tabloid scrutiny. However, they’ve maintained a cordial relationship as they co-parent their two kids, Sam and Charlie Woods. After the two separated, Woods was connected to the likes of Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and later Erica Herman. But none have been like Trump.

According to the same source, Vanessa Trump is the only soul mate Woods has ever had apart from Nordegren. While they are not close to marrying just yet, things have been quite serious between the two. And so, Woods did reach out to his ex-wife about his new relationship, but it was a courtesy call.

“She likes the kids; they like her. So there was really no reason for any drama with Elin,” the source added. “It was more of a call, so she didn’t learn about it in the news.”

The conversation with Nordegren was described as “pleasant, almost friendly”—a phrase that says as much about where they’ve arrived as it does about the phone call itself. And that’s exactly what they are now: friends.

The two were seen together at the Florida High School State Championship in November 2025. Charlie’s team won. The parents showed a united front as they cheered him on and chatted from the sidelines. Elin and Woods were also at the 62nd Junior Orange Bowl International golf championships at the historic Biltmore Golf Course, cheering for their son.

Long after the call, Woods didn’t wait for the paparazzi. He revealed his relationship with Vanessa Trump in March 2025 on social media with a message that surprised longtime observers: “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together.”

A sportsperson meeting the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump might look like an accident, but it was far from it.

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Shared geography made Tiger Woods’ unlikely pairing possible

For a man who is defined by his work in the sport of golf, it almost feels like a swan song that his new serious relationship didn’t begin at a gala or through mutual celebrity connections but on the sidelines of junior golf tournaments in Palm Beach Gardens. And then other reasons made proximity inevitable.

For one, Woods and Vanessa Trump are both residents of the Jupiter corridor. However, more importantly, their children’s lives overlap in many ways than one. Kai Trump and Charlie Woods both attend the Benjamin School, and both compete on the junior golf circuit. And so, both parents found themselves standing on the same ranges, watching the same swings, sharing the same sideline silences.

The bond formed organically—two popular golf parents navigating the pressures of raising athlete-children in similar social circles.

That shared environment helped normalize the relationship for the children involved. Sam and Charlie happen to like Vanessa. At the same time, Kai has already given her public vote to the couple right after they announced the news in March. According to the same source, Vanessa has brought stability to the Woods’ home, and that’s the very reason why he doesn’t stop gushing about her.

But the ease of acceptance shown by Nordegren reflects years of rebuilt trust. Now, as Woods decides whether he should continue his golfing career or move on, he doesn’t just have a person he can talk to in Vanessa, but also a friend and co-parent who is just as available to give him some good advice.