Tiger Woods made a rare public appearance Friday as he joined his ex-wife Elin Nordegren at their son’s high school to celebrate Charlie Woods’ commitment to play golf at Florida State University. The family gathering marked an uncommon reunion for the former couple, whose divorce received considerable public attention years ago.
The 15-time major championship winner expressed his pride in his son’s achievement, stating he was proud of Charlie as he enters this next chapter of his life. The younger Woods had announced his commitment to the Seminoles’ golf program earlier this year, following in his father’s footsteps as a collegiate golfer.
The public appearance comes as Tiger Woods has largely retreated from the spotlight following his arrest in March on charges of driving under the influence. The incident occurred after a car crash in which law enforcement discovered hydrocodone pills in his possession. This marked his second arrest for impaired driving in less than a decade.
According to arrest records, deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office observed multiple indicators of impairment at the scene. The officers noted that Woods was sweating profusely and exhibited lethargic, slow movements. During field sobriety testing, a deputy reported that Woods’ eyes appeared bloodshot, glassy, and extremely dilated after he was instructed to remove his eyeglasses.
Woods informed law enforcement that he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg. He acknowledged taking several prescription medications. The combination of his extensive surgical history and medication regimen appeared to factor into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Following the incident, Woods announced he would seek treatment. According to reports, Nordegren expressed concern about the legendary golfer’s situation. At the time of his arrest, Woods had indicated he was hoping to compete in the Masters tournament in April, but he ultimately sat out the entire 2026 season.
The Friday celebration represented a moment of family unity amid Woods’ ongoing personal challenges. The gathering focused attention on Charlie Woods’ athletic achievement and his decision to continue his education and golf career at a major collegiate program.
Florida State University has developed a competitive golf program in recent years, and Charlie Woods’ commitment represents a significant addition to their recruiting efforts. The younger Woods has shown considerable promise in junior golf competitions and has drawn inevitable comparisons to his father’s early career.
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