Tiger Woods celebrates 50th birthday with Vanessa Trump as Bon Jovi headlines star-studded bash

Tiger Woods marked his 50th birthday in unforgettable fashion with a star-studded celebration attended by his girlfriend Vanessa Trump, her daughter Kai Trump and a host of golfing and celebrity friends – capped off by a private performance from Jon Bon Jovi.

Although Woods officially turned 50 on 30 December, the 15-time major champion waited until 14 January to celebrate in style, hosting a lavish red-themed gala at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, just one day before the start of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

The evening doubled as a celebration of 30 years of the TGR Foundation, with around 300 VIP guests in attendance. 

Among them were PGA Tour stars Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, along with Golf Channel presenter Blair O’Neal and a number of high-profile figures from sport, business and entertainment.

Woods, who is currently sidelined after undergoing the seventh back surgery of his career in October 2025, has not placed a firm timeline on his return to competitive golf. 

Speaking during a TGL appearance earlier on Tuesday, Woods said he is taking his recovery step by step but there is hope he will make The Masters in April. 

The birthday bash, co-hosted by Woods and Vanessa Trump, was held in honour of Tiger’s iconic “Sunday Red” tradition, with guests instructed to wear a touch of red for the occasion.

Vanessa, 48, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr, wore a form-fitting black dress with a corset-style lace-up back, while her daughter Kai , 18 – a promising golf prospect – stood out in a red silk floor-length cutout gown, despite wearing a cast on her left arm following recent wrist surgery.

Kai took to her Instagram to post a couple of photos from the evening, one of which you can see below alongside her mother Vanessa. 

Entertainment for the evening came courtesy of Jon Bon Jovi, who performed a number of his biggest hits including Livin’ on a Prayer, It’s My Life, You Give Love a Bad Name and Lost Highway.

Speaking on stage, Bon Jovi said: “I’ve done a lot of big fundraisers with Tiger, even in people’s homes, and we’re really, really happy to be here tonight. I want to thank you very much because it’s been quite a long time since I performed in public.”

Guests were also treated to a varied menu inspired by Woods’ five Masters Champions Dinner selections over the years, featuring sushi, porterhouse steaks, crab cakes, cheeseburgers, steak and chicken fajitas, stuffed jalapeños, French fries and milkshakes.

Away from the celebration, Woods’ fundraising efforts proved just as impressive. The event reportedly reached its ambitious $50 million (£38m) goal to help fund a new TGR Learning Lab for students, with a significant contribution coming from Atlanta Falcons owner and Home Depot founder Arthur Blank, who donated $20 million (£14.9m).

Woods later confirmed the news on social media, writing: “I’m excited to partner with my friend Arthur Blank and the @BlankFoundation to bring a TGR Learning Lab to Atlanta. Together, we’ll build on my @TGRFound’s impact over the last 30 years and provide more students in Atlanta with opportunities to learn, grow, and chase after their dreams.”

Woods’ relationship with Vanessa Trump is said to be going from strength to strength, with insiders describing this period as the happiest he has been away from the golf course in many years.

The former World No.1 was previously married to Elin Nordegren, with whom he shares two children, Samantha, 18, and Charlie, 16.

Woods is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions now he has turned 50 years old.

That will also mean he is able to ride in a golf cart should he wish. 

It remains to be seen exactly how many tournaments Woods will play in 2026, but his main goal will be to compete in all four majors. 

Woods has not played in a competitive Tour event since missing the cut at The Open at Royal Troon in July 2024.