Fans were very surprised to see golf legend Tiger Woods look "like his own shadow" in his rare public appearance after being arrested for using banned substances (DUI).
The major champion has been quiet for 15 times since the car overturning accident in March, which caused him to be charged with 2 minor counts of DUI causing property damage and refusing to comply with legal inspection, after police found 2 opioid pills in his bag.
He then went through drug rehabilitation in Switzerland but never appeared publicly since returning to the US, until last Tuesday evening.
Woods appeared in a pre-recorded video for his colleague and golf village icon, Notah Begay III, to honor this former professional golfer when he received the Payne Stewart Award.
The clip was broadcast on The Golf Channel and quickly spread on social networks, when fans were surprised to see Tiger after a few months of absence.
One person wrote: "It's sad that Tiger looks just like his own shadow".
Another person added: "What's happening to Big Cat? He looks clearly different from before.
The third person commented: "Looks sober, but alas, he's getting too old".
While the fourth person wrote: "Tiger looks unrecognizable".
Others praised the 50-year-old golfer, who is in a romantic relationship with Vanessa Trump.
One person commented: "It's good to see that he's not high this time".
Others said: "He looks thinner!
Earlier this week - 5 months after the car overturned incident - information was revealed that on September 8, Woods will appear in court for the first time related to the incident.
The date of the trial is said to have been postponed many times while prosecutors continue the investigation process in South Florida.
He will be represented by lawyer Douglas Duncan. Tiger Woods has given up the right to preliminary investigation and requested a jury trial on the case.
His most recent trial was held on August 4, following a July ruling allowing prosecutors to collect Woods' hospital records related to the accident.
Previously, Woods also broke the 1-month silence on social media to express his views on the fundamental changes of the PGA Tour regarding their season-end schedule.
He wrote: "The end of the season should be commensurate with the journey to get there. Today's announcement is the result of the efforts and passion of our golfers. Excitedly welcoming a new era of sparring format on @PGATOUR.
Woods was close to returning and was expected to compete at The Masters before the accident occurred.
He has not played since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland and has since undergone surgery to treat his severed Achilles tendon as well as a seventh back surgery.
This latest scandal is the fourth time he has had trouble sitting behind the wheel.
He was arrested for DUI in 2017 after police discovered him slumped in a car in Florida with 5 types of stimulants/drugs in his body, including 2 types of painkillers.
A similar accident occurred in 2021 in California, causing his right leg to break after being trapped under a car. He underwent many surgeries to recover from his injury and has since struggled with athlete's calf tendinitis.
Tiger Woods also crashed into a fire hydrant in November 2009 when trying to leave his home in Florida, after his wife at the time, Elin Nordegren, discovered his affairs.
