Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf turned into a night of mixed emotions as the 50-year-old legend suffered a crushing 9-2 defeat while girlfriend Vanessa Trump watched from the stands at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The 15-time major champion made his long-awaited comeback on Tuesday night at the TGL Finals, playing for his co-owned Jupiter Links team against Los Angeles Golf Club. Despite the lopsided result, Woods and Trump, 48, packed on the PDA before the match, with photographers capturing the couple embracing and kissing on the virtual golf course.
Trump attended the tournament with her daughters Kai, 18, and Chloe, 11, with Woods spotted chatting warmly with the young women throughout the evening. President Trump’s granddaughter Kai, a University of Miami golf commit and rising golf star, has become a fixture at Woods’ events, often showing support for the legendary athlete.
The match proved disastrous for Woods and his Jupiter Links teammates Max Homa and Tom Kim, who faced Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sahith Theegala. Los Angeles Golf Club dominated the competition, rattling off three consecutive eagles to clinch the SoFi Cup championship.
“We got our **** kicked at the end,” Woods admitted bluntly after the loss. His biggest moment came when he missed a 3-foot putt on the seventh hole, slamming his putter to the turf in disgust as momentum swung decisively toward LA.
The defeat marked Woods’ first competitive action in over a year. The golf icon hasn’t played in a PGA Tour event since the 2024 Open Championship. His absence stemmed from a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025 and subsequent disk replacement surgery in October.
Despite Tuesday’s frustrating result, Woods expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete again. “It felt great to be back here with these guys,” he said, though his mind appeared to be racing ahead to what comes next.
The romantic display between Woods and Trump continues their public courtship, which sparked dating rumors in late 2024. Woods made their relationship Instagram official in March 2025, posting photos of the couple with a heartfelt caption about their future together. Trump attended the Genesis Invitational in California that February, signaling her support for the golf legend.
Vanessa shares five children with ex-husband Donald Trump Jr., including Kai, Chloe, Donald III, 17, Tristan, 14, and Spencer, 13. She and Donald Jr., 47, were married for 12 years from 2005 to 2018. Vanessa filed for divorce in March 2018, and the pair finalized their split later that year. Donald Jr. got engaged to Bettina Anderson in December 2025.
Woods split from ex-wife Elin Nordegren, 46, in 2010. The former couple shares daughter Sam, 18, and son Charlie, 17.
The TGL Finals appearance represents a significant milestone in Woods’ recovery journey. The athlete has endured numerous surgeries and setbacks throughout his career, with his latest health challenges threatening to derail any comeback plans. Woods underwent disk replacement surgery in October after doctors discovered a collapsed disc, procedures that sidelined him for most of 2025.
Speculation now centers on whether Woods will compete at next month’s Masters tournament at Augusta National, scheduled for April 9-12. The golf legend has won the prestigious event five times, and fans eagerly await confirmation of his participation. Woods has teased a potential appearance but hasn’t committed to playing at the tournament, which takes place in just over two weeks.
The physical toll of his injuries remains evident. Woods acknowledged the challenges of recovery at his age, noting that disc replacement is “not a lot of fun” and brings good days and bad days. The athlete has spent months working through rehabilitation, gradually building up his strength and stamina to return to competitive play.
Tuesday’s match at the SoFi Center drew significant attention, with fans and media members packing the venue to witness Woods’ return. The presence of Trump and her daughters added another layer of intrigue to the evening, as photographers captured intimate moments between the couple throughout the event.
The relationship between Woods and Vanessa Trump has captivated sports and entertainment media since rumors first emerged. Their public displays of affection and mutual support at golf events have only intensified interest in their romance.
As Woods continues his comeback attempt, the support of Trump and her family appears to provide motivation for the golf legend. Whether he suits up for the Masters remains uncertain, but Tuesday’s TGL Finals appearance demonstrated his determination to return to competitive golf despite the challenging circumstances.
