Tiger Woods’ Patriotic Memorial Day Message

Tiger Woods issued his first public statement in several weeks, using Memorial Day to honor those who have sacrificed for the country. He specifically recognized his late father, Earl Woods, who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War.

On Monday afternoon, Woods shared his message on the platform X. He wrote, “My father was a Special Forces operator with two tours in Vietnam and 20 years of service. To all those like my father, we all say thank you for your sacrifices. Without them we wouldn’t have the greatest country on Earth.” Earl Woods passed away in May 2006, at the age of 74.

Previously, Woods had announced on March 31 that he needed time away to seek treatment following a car accident and a DUI arrest in Florida on March 27. He was charged with two misdemeanors, DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, despite recording 0.00 results on breathalyzer tests. However, his refusal to take a urine test resulted in an additional charge.

Granted permission to travel for comprehensive inpatient treatment on April 1, Woods was spotted in Florida earlier this month. Reports suggest his private plane returned to Switzerland on Sunday, indicating that rehabilitation might be ongoing. He was last seen disembarking his plane at Palm Beach International Airport on May 13.

It’s unclear why Woods made a brief return to Florida. This coincided with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump—Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law—recently revealing her breast cancer diagnosis. Vanessa expressed on social media that Woods had been her “strength” during this period. Their relationship became public in March 2025.

Woods has been absent from competitive golf since the 2024 Open Championship in Scotland.