Tiger Woods breaks silence after heading back out to Switzerland for rehab clinic

Tiger Woods has broken his silence for the first time since travelling to Switzerland to continue his rehabilitation treatment following his March car crash and subsequent DUI arrest.

The 15-time major champion posted a Memorial Day tribute on social media on Monday, honouring members of the United States Armed Forces and paying a personal tribute to his late father, Earl Woods.

“My father was a Special Forces operator with two tours in Vietnam and 20 years of service,” Woods wrote.

“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.”

The message marked Woods’ first public statement since entering a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland earlier this spring.

According to Golfweek, Woods’ $50m private jet returned to Zurich Airport on Sunday after flying from Florida overnight.

The aircraft, registered N517TW, reportedly departed Witham Field in Stuart, Florida, on Saturday evening before making the near nine-hour journey back to Switzerland.

Woods had briefly returned to the United States earlier this month after spending several weeks undergoing treatment overseas. 

While the reason for the visit was never officially confirmed, reports suggested Woods may have returned to support his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, after she revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Trump, the former daughter-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, described Woods as her “strength” in a heartfelt social media post about her diagnosis.

A source told the New York Post: “Tiger has been very supportive of Vanessa through all of this and is really just focused on being there for her.

“He’s proud of how positive she’s stayed and how she’s handling everything so far. She’s been so strong and he truly believes she’s going to be OK.”

Woods has reportedly been undergoing intensive psychological treatment at a specialist rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland following the 27 March crash near his Florida home.

The golf legend later confirmed he would step away from the sport while seeking professional help in the aftermath of the incident.

A statement released at the time said Woods was also working with a pain management doctor to address ongoing physical pain “without addictive opioids”.

Woods has not competed on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024.