Tiger Woods Swings in Public Again After DUI Case Resolved

Tiger Woods hit a series of iron shots in public for the first time in months this week, during an exhibition following the TGR Junior Invitational at Pebble Beach. The appearance comes a month after Woods resolved a DUI case that had stalled his return to professional golf.

What happened at Pebble Beach?

Woods hosted the TGR Junior Invitational at Pebble Beach, and once the junior competition wrapped up, he stepped in for an exhibition. TGR Live Events posted video of the session on social media, captioned "Back on your feed, right where this swing belongs. Fresh from today's exhibition." In the clips, Woods strikes several smooth iron shots and shows no visible signs of discomfort.

How did the DUI case get resolved?

Woods crashed his Range Rover near his Florida home on March 27, 2025, after clipping a trailer, and was arrested and charged with DUI at the scene. He soon announced he was stepping away from public life for behavioral treatment in Switzerland. He resurfaced briefly to speak at the Travelers Championship in June 2026 and in a pre-taped tribute to Notah Begay at the Payne Stewart Award ceremony in late August. In September 2026, Woods pleaded guilty under a deal with Florida prosecutors, receiving a five-year suspension of his driver's license and fines while avoiding jail time.

Why hasn't Woods played since 2024?

Woods's last PGA Tour start was a missed cut at the 2024 Open Championship. He made only five starts that season, missing two cuts, withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational after one round, and finishing 60th at the Masters following a third-round 82. His start count has fallen steadily since his last win, at the 2019 Zozo Championship.

Woods had been targeting a return at the 2026 Masters after recovering from back surgery in October 2025, and was reportedly physically ready before the DUI arrest intervened. He was not injured in the crash.

Nothing about this comeback is tied to a new injury — the obstacle this time was legal, not physical.

Where could Tiger Woods play next?

With the legal matter settled, the question becomes where Woods returns to competition. The Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, runs December 3-6 in a small field with limited media access. The PNC Championship, where Woods has played alongside his son Charlie, follows December 17-20. Both offer a lower-pressure setting for his first competitive reps. If Woods waits longer, the 2027 Genesis Invitational he hosts in February or the 2027 Masters, where he holds a lifetime exemption as a five-time champion, are the next logical stops. As a past champion, he can also play the Open Championship until he turns 60, and has won twice at St Andrews, host of the 2027 Open. At 50, Woods is also now age-eligible for PGA Tour Champions events.