Tiger Woods appears in pre-recorded video for Payne Stewart Award amid fan concerns

Tiger Woods sent a pre-recorded video to fellow golfer Notah Begay for the Payne Stewart Award ceremony on Tuesday night, congratulating Begay on his achievements on and off the golf course. In the message, Woods recalled meeting Begay when he was 11, praised Begay’s work with Native American communities and his contributions to a sports complex in San Felipe, and expressed personal gratitude for their long-standing friendship.

The Payne Stewart Award honors a professional golfer’s character, sportsmanship and charitable work. Woods’ brief appearance marks his first public engagement since a March 2026 rollover crash on Jupiter Island, Florida, that led to his arrest on a DUI charge and the discovery of two opioid pills. He was allowed to travel to a rehabilitation center in Switzerland in April and returned to the United States in May, remaining largely out of the public eye.

Social media users reacted with a range of comments. Some expressed concern about Woods’ appearance, noting he looked “not so good” or “a shell of his former self,” while others offered supportive remarks, hoping he was “off the steroids and painkillers.” Woods is scheduled to appear in court for the DUI case on September 8.

Earlier, Woods introduced PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at a news conference, his first on-stage appearance since returning from treatment, and highlighted his role on the Tour’s Future Competition Committee as a privilege.