Tiger Woods is highly unlikely to play in next month's US Open following his DUI arrest drama, golf chief Mike Whan has revealed.
Woods, 50, was detained on March 27 after flipping his SUV while trying to overtake a truck and trailer at high speed in the billionaire enclave of Jupiter Island. After police found two pills in his pocket upon arrival at the scene, the golf legend was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He pleaded not guilty and is set to appear in court on May 5.
Woods has been seeking professional help in Zurich, Switzerland since the crash, yet that hasn't stopped some of his followers from speculating that he could still return at the US Open in late June. Unfortunately for those optimistic fans, Whan has warned them not to expect to see the 15-time major champion in the field.
'I'd be super surprised,' the USGA CEO told Sports Illustrated when asked if Woods could play in the major tournament. 'It would be wonderful for the event, and if he was ready, it would be wonderful for him. Obviously, what he's going through is much bigger than golf. He's proven before that when he puts his mind to something, he's going to be great at it. I'm sure he has a lot of years to play USGA championships. I don't think he's going to play in any 2026 USGA championship.'
Whan added: 'If he ends up playing in USGA championships, great. But when I think of Tiger, my friend, that's not really what's important to me right now.'
Woods last played in the US Open in 2024, but has not made the cut since 2019. He has won the championship on three occasions (2000, 2002, 2008). He had flirted with a stunning Masters comeback prior to his arrest, although the possibility of it coming to fruition was always extremely unlikely. His good friend Rory McIlroy went on to claim his second straight green jacket in Augusta last month.
The Daily Mail recently revealed how Woods' girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, was 'very happy' with the progress he was making in rehab. According to an insider, the sporting icon has been showing encouraging signs after undergoing 'intense treatment'.
'He's got a pain management doctor who is helping him deal with his body pain without addictive opioids,' the source told the Daily Mail. 'He calls or Zooms a small number of people: Vanessa, his kids, Mark Steinberg. He's responding well to treatment, and Vanessa is very happy with what she's hearing.'
The insider explained how Woods' program is set for 90 days, although he is able to leave whenever he wishes. Woods has been in a relationship for around 18 months with Vanessa, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. There had been speculation that their relationship could be on the rocks after his arrest, but Vanessa rubbished that talk by throwing her support behind Woods on Instagram. A week after his arrest, she shared a loved-up photo of them together on Instagram and wrote: 'Love you'. Nevertheless, the Daily Mail has confirmed that Vanessa was adamant Woods needed thorough professional help and wouldn't stand for history repeating itself once more.
The latest saga is the fourth time he has been in trouble after being behind the wheel of a car. He was arrested for another DUI in 2017 after police found him slumped in his car in Florida with five drugs in his system, including two painkillers. Woods was later involved in a similar crash in 2021 in California, which shattered his right leg after he was trapped under the vehicle. He needed multiple surgeries in order to recover from his injuries. He also crashed into a fire hydrant in November 2009 as he tried to flee his Florida home after wife Elin Nordegren discovered he had been having an affair. It sparked an unraveling of his reputation that he has never truly recovered from.
