Tiger Woods and Kai Trump reportedly have a good relationship -Credit:Getty
(Getty)
Tiger Woods has had a turbulent few weeks. A rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, an arrest on charges of driving under the influence, two hydrocodone pills allegedly found in his pocket, a not guilty plea entered in Martin County Court, and a subsequent withdrawal from the Masters while he seeks treatment abroad.
For most relationships, that would be a breaking point. For Vanessa Trump, the answer appears to be straightforward, and it has a lot to do with her eldest daughter.
An insider familiar with the couple’s relationship told PEOPLE that the bond Woods has developed with Vanessa’s five children, and particularly with 18-year-old Kai Trump, has been a significant factor in how she is processing an undeniably difficult period. It comes after Woods was revealed to be “embarrassed and ashamed” after the arrest.
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“She’s not leaving him. They’re very close as a family,” the source said. “He’s fully integrated now and especially close with Kai.”
Kai, who is preparing to graduate high school in May and has been pursuing a career in golf and social media, was alongside her mother cheering Woods on at a Florida golf event just weeks before the crash.
The connection between Woods and Kai, two people who share a deep investment in the game, has reportedly developed into something genuine and meaningful within the family dynamic.
Tiger Woods is in a relationship with Vanessa Trump -Credit:Instagram
(Instagram)
Sources close to the situation describe Vanessa’s position as supportive but clear-eyed. She is said to have communicated to Woods that she expects accountability alongside her support, and friends of the couple describe her stance as firm but caring.
“People are quick to judge Tiger, but he’s living through a lot of pain and has been for enough years where it has taken a toll on his quality of life in addition to his golf game,” one source told PEOPLE. “He is committed now to getting better, however long that takes. His family is behind him. They support him.”
The March 27 incident began when Woods allegedly overtook a pressure-cleaning truck in his Land Rover near Jupiter Island, causing his vehicle to roll over. He passed a breathalyzer test, blowing what the sheriff described as “triple zeros,” but allegedly refused a urinalysis test at the jail that could detect prescription medications.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC talks with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, after a match against Boston Common Golf at SoFi Center on March 17, 2026 -Credit:Getty
Authorities said he appeared “lethargic” and noted that two hydrocodone pills were found in his left pants pocket. Woods told deputies he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg and takes prescription medicine. A Florida judge subsequently granted him permission to leave the country to seek treatment.
In a statement posted to X on March 31, Woods addressed the situation directly. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he wrote. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery. I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally.”
President Donald Trump, a longtime friend of Woods who awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, offered his own characteristically candid assessment after the arrest.
“He is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg,” Trump told the New York Post, calling Woods “a very close friend of mine” and “an amazing person.” Bodycam footage from the scene showed Woods telling a deputy shortly after the crash that he had just been “talking to the president.”