Tiger Woods makes first public appearance after DUI arrest and secret Switzerland rehab treatment stay ends (Image via Getty)
Tiger Woods was seen in public for the first time since his recent DUI arrest after landing back in Florida on Wednesday. The 15 time major champion arrived at Palm Beach airport on his private jet following weeks of treatment at a rehab facility in Zurich, Switzerland. Photos published by the Daily Mail showed Woods stepping off the plane with his two dogs before getting into a black SUV and leaving the airport. The 50 year old golfer has stayed away from the public since his March 27 crash on Jupiter Island, Florida. According to police reports, Woods was driving at a high speed on a residential road with a 30mph limit when his SUV hit a truck trailer and rolled onto its side. Deputies later found two pain pills in his pocket and said he showed signs of impairment at the scene.Tiger Woods agreed to a breathalyzer test, which reportedly showed no alcohol in his system, but authorities said he refused to take a urine test. He has since been charged with driving under the influence, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Woods has pleaded not guilty and is expected to appear in court on May 5.
Tiger Woods rehab, Vanessa Trump support and golf comeback questions
The latest pictures of Tiger Woods come after reports that he had been receiving “intense treatment” in Switzerland for pain management and recovery. A source told the Daily Mail that Woods has been working with doctors to manage long term body pain without addictive opioids. The same report said he stayed in touch with only a small group of people during rehab, including girlfriend Vanessa Trump, his children, and agent Mark Steinberg.Vanessa Trump was not seen with Woods when he arrived back in Florida. However, reports have claimed she has strongly supported him during this difficult period and wanted him to get professional help after the crash.This is not the first time Tiger Woods has faced serious trouble behind the wheel. In 2017, he was arrested in Florida after police found him asleep in his car with several drugs in his system. In 2021, Woods survived a major crash in California that badly injured his right leg and led to multiple surgeries. Years earlier, in 2009, he crashed into a fire hydrant outside his Florida home during a highly publicized personal scandal.Even with the legal case still ongoing, questions are already growing about whether Woods plans to return to golf again. A source told People that the golf legend still wants to compete and believes he can come back once he fully recovers physically and mentally.Another source told the same outlet that Woods “still has golf in him” but is now mainly focused on improving his health and dealing with both physical pain and personal struggles before making any decision about his future on the PGA Tour.