Tiger Woods Seen Practicing Golf, Fuels Comeback Speculation After DUI Arrest
The golf legend, who received a five-year driving ban after a DUI arrest, was filmed hitting balls at Pebble Beach, hinting at a potential return to competitive play.
Tiger Woods has been seen practicing his swing at the Pebble Beach golf resort, fueling speculation about a potential comeback to competitive play. The 15-time major champion was filmed hitting balls at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, a public appearance that comes after a challenging period involving legal issues and health concerns.
Woods was in the area for several events, including the TW Invitational and the TGR Jr Invitational. In between these engagements, he took time to practice, with a video posted to his TGR Live social media account captioned, "Back on your feed, right where this swing belongs." He also participated in the youth event's match play finals, introducing young players.
This marks an increase in public sightings of Woods practicing golf. In September, he was seen hitting balls at Liberty National in New Jersey. His legal troubles stem from a DUI arrest in late March, for which he pleaded no contest to the charges. This plea resulted in a five-year driving ban and avoided a trial.
Following the arrest, Woods received court permission to travel to Switzerland, where he spent time in a rehabilitation facility. The 50-year-old golfer has not competed professionally since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. His legal proceedings involved a change of plea in early September. According to police reports, Woods was driving at a high speed when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer, causing damage to the truck. He admitted to looking at his phone and changing the radio at the time of the crash. While a breathalyzer did not detect alcohol, Woods refused a urine test. Police reports indicated the presence of opioids in his pocket and signs of impairment.
Legal proceedings in the months following the crash included court approvals for prosecutors to obtain Woods' hospital and prescription medication records. These records were subject to a protective order limiting their release. Prior to his March arrest, Woods was reportedly nearing a return to golf and was considered a likely participant in The Masters. His legal issues have occurred concurrently with his girlfriend Vanessa Trump's cancer diagnosis.
This 2024 incident was not Woods's first encounter with driving-related trouble. In 2017, he was found unconscious in his vehicle by Jupiter police, showing signs of impairment and having taken multiple prescription medications, including painkillers, a sleep aid, and an anti-anxiety drug. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, receiving probation, a fine, and mandatory alcohol abstinence during his probation period. In 2009, Woods was involved in another car crash near his home, which resulted in minor injuries and a ticket for careless driving. This incident followed media reports of an alleged affair.