Tiger Woods has not graced the PGA Tour with his presence in 2025, but his appearance at Ballen Isles Country Club on Thursday sparked speculation that he might make a comeback this season.
The golf icon and 15-time major victor was there to support his son, Charlie, who was competing in the Amateur Championship and once admitted he was “broke.” Woods’ appearance caught more eyes than the event’s standings.
Spotted chilling in a golf cart with his legs crossed, Woods, who is dating Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of the U.S. President, notably ditched the walking boot he’d been sporting since hurting his left Achilles tendon back in March.
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Post-surgery for the injury, which happened post-Genesis Invitational training session, Woods has remained mostly unseen without his cumbersome boot until this occasion.
Though the day was focused on young Charlie’s efforts, the sight of Woods sans boot drove fans wild with talk of his potential tour return.
Social media buzzed, advising Woods to kick back and watch Charlie rise as a golfing sensation, hinting the 49-year-old himself had nothing left to prove. One fan commented: “At this point, not getting hopeful for it. Just ready for Charlie to develop into a star.”
While another voiced a less optimistic take, saying: “Just stop. Tiger isn’t winning another tournament. His body is like 80 years old.”
One exasperated fan commented: “Sure. Until he hurts another body part doing unnecessary ‘training’ that no golfer should be doing.”
The conversation went on with supporters urging the media to dismiss any talk of a Woods comeback unless he opts to play on the Champions Tour, which is for players 50 and older.
Woods has been absent from every PGA Tour event this year and had a limited presence in 2024. He managed to make the cut at the 2024 Masters but ended up 60th with a score of 304 (+16), pocketing $44,400.
He didn’t make the cut in the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open, finishing a combined 28-over-par.
Charlie is keeping the family name in the spotlight, carding a 74 in the opening round to tie for 39th place, trailing leader Derek Busby by eight strokes, who posted a 66. The young golfer, at just 16, also secured a top-5 spot at the FJT PGA National Open in April and clinched victory at the Team TaylorMade Invitational, catapulting him 595 places up the world rankings to 14th.
“It means so much because I haven’t really performed at the highest level yet,” said Charlie after the victory. “And to finally do it after all the work I have put in and not playing well in big events in the past.
“Even though I know I am so much better than that and for it all to finally come together is such a great feeling.”
