Tiger Woods broke his social media silence for the first time since returning from rehab with a touching tribute to his late veteran father on Memorial Day 2026.
The golf superstar wrote in the message which he shared on X and his Instagram Stories, “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 passed away back in 2006 from cancer, and Tiger lost his 80-year-old mother Kultida last year from causes that were not publicly disclosed.
The new post comes almost 2 weeks after Tiger touched down in the United States after completing a rehab stint in Switzerland.
On May 24, Fox reported flight records reveal the athlete’s $50 million private jet traveled back to Switzerland on Saturday and touched down Sunday in Zurich.
Tiger was able to leave the country despite the DUI charges that followed his Jupiter Island, Florida rollover crash on March 27 because Martin County Court Judge Darren Steele granted him permission to travel after Tiger brought up privacy concerns, per ESPN.
Tiger’s last post before his Memorial Day message honoring his dad was a note about his decision to enter treatment, which he shared 4 days after the accident. The 5-time Master champion wrote:
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation in which I find myself today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time.“
Tiger Woods’ Return to Florida Coincided With His Girlfriend Vanessa Trump’s Cancer Announcement
7 days after Tiger returned to Florida, his girlfriend, 48-year-old Vanessa Trump, announced she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. The socialite wrote in a message to her followers, “I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn’t news anyone expects, I’m working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan. I would like to thank my doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week on me. I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me.”
She signed off by asking for privacy as she focuses on her recovery, and thanking everyone for their “kindness and support.”
A couple of days later, she gave Tiger a sweet shout out, reposting one of the affectionate photos they shared when they went public with their relationship last year, and wrote, “My strength through it all! Family and the closest people to me.” She emphasized her message with praying hands and a heart.
Tiger Woods Described His Relationship With His Parents in 2017 Book
In his book “The 1997 Masters: My Story,” which came out in March 2017, remembered his dad as the more lenient parent, while saying his mother was strict.
He wrote, “As we said in our family, my mom was the hand, and my dad was the voice. I could negotiate with him, but not with my mom. There was no middle ground with Mom.”
He went on, “My dad was always the person who would plant seeds and give me encouragement but also would say things that would fester inside me that wouldn’t come to fruition for a while. He was very worldly and deep in his thinking. My mom was the enforcer. My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him. My mom’s still here, and I’m still deathly afraid of her. She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding.”
Despite his mom’s toughness, Tiger made sure to make it known that he loved her “so much.”
