Barack Obama: Tiger Woods is on 'another planet' Woods, the first African-American golfer to win a major title from his 1997 triumph at the Masters, and Obama, the first African-American to be elected as US President, teed off at a luxury golf resort in Florida. The world number two, currently only behind Rory McIlroy said in Arizona ahead of the WGC World Matchplay Championship on Tuesday that playing with Mr Obama was "pretty cool. He's just a wonderful person to be around. Woods and Mr Obama defeated US Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, who also owned the resort course where the elite foursome played away from the eyes of the media, who complained about being ditched. Woods, who is chasing the all-time record of 18 major crowns won by Jack Nicklaus, said he was asked to play alongside Obama during an off weekend in his PGA Tour play. "There's a process that's involved and I was invited to play," Woods said.