Tiger Woods Nearing Golf Comeback After DUI and Absence, Friend Says
Golfer reportedly aiming for a full schedule, with friend Kevin Kisner hinting at his return to competition.
Tiger Woods is reportedly on the verge of a return to professional golf, more than two years after his last competitive appearance and following a DUI arrest. A friend and fellow golfer, Kevin Kisner, has indicated that Woods is planning to play a full schedule, potentially rejoining his TGL team for the upcoming season.
Woods has not competed since missing the cut at The Open in 2024 at Royal Troon, with subsequent injury issues and legal troubles impacting his career. He was recently seen hitting balls at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, fueling speculation about his comeback. Another sighting of Woods practicing occurred last month at Liberty National in New Jersey.
Kisner, who was previously part of Woods's TGL team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, shared insights on the Barstool Foreplay podcast. He explained that his two-year contract with the team had concluded and that Woods expressed a desire to play a full schedule. Kisner mentioned that Rob McNamara, identified as Woods's associate, communicated these plans.
If Woods returns for TGL season three, scheduled to begin on December 27, he would be joining teammates Max Homa, Tom Kim, Akshay Bhatia, and newly added Keith Mitchell. Woods played only one match in the previous TGL season, participating in the finals where his team lost.
In September, Woods pleaded no contest to charges stemming from his DUI arrest in late March. As part of a deal with prosecutors, he received a five-year ban from driving. Following the arrest, Woods was granted permission to travel to Switzerland, where he underwent a period of rehabilitation. He changed his plea in court in early September, avoiding a trial.
According to police reports, Woods was driving at a high speed when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer, causing approximately $5,000 in damage to the other vehicle. Woods was able to exit the car without sustaining injuries. He admitted to officers that he was looking at his phone and adjusting the radio at the time of the crash. A Breathalyzer test did not detect alcohol, but Woods refused a urine test. Deputies reported finding opioids in his possession and observed signs of impairment. Woods had been considered a potential competitor at The Masters shortly before the crash.
This period of legal challenges has been compounded by the cancer diagnosis of Vanessa Trump, Woods's girlfriend, who revealed her battle with an unspecified form of breast cancer in May.