Tiger Woods is supporting his girlfriend Vanessa Trump from a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland as she battles a recent breast cancer diagnosis — with the couple maintaining daily contact despite being separated by the Atlantic Ocean while both face major personal health challenges.
Woods, 50, is understood to be around two months into a 90-day treatment programme in Europe for dependency on prescription painkillers, after being arrested near his home in Jupiter, Florida in late March on suspicion of driving under the influence. He has pleaded not guilty. A judge granted him permission to seek treatment outside the United States, and while he made a brief return to America in May — just days before Vanessa publicly announced her cancer diagnosis — he flew back to Europe on 23 May to continue his programme. He is not expected to return to Vanessa’s side until the end of June.
Despite the distance, a source close to the couple told People magazine that the pair are in regular contact and that their communication has been a source of strength for both. “They talk and share their lives as they have been doing for the entire time they have been together,” the source said. “Their regular communication has helped both cope with these major issues and interruptions in their busy lives.” The source added: “Even though Vanessa has her children and close friends, she and Tiger have a solid emotional connection. This helps both of them.”
Vanessa announced her diagnosis on social media. “I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn’t news anyone expects, I’m working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan,” she wrote, adding that she had already undergone a medical procedure and was “staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me.” She is a mother of five from her previous marriage to Donald Trump Jr., from whom she divorced in 2018 after 13 years together. Her oldest child Kai recently turned 19.
Woods’ Swiss treatment comes after an extraordinarily difficult period for a man who has spent most of his life as the dominant figure in world golf. In 2025 alone he underwent a seventh back procedure and surgery on a torn Achilles tendon. When police arrested him in late March they found him in possession of two hydrocodone pills — powerful and addictive painkillers frequently prescribed following the kind of orthopaedic surgeries Woods has repeatedly endured.
The 15-time major champion’s personal struggles are not without precedent. In November 2009, his marriage to Elin Nordegren collapsed spectacularly after a late-night car crash outside their Florida home — in which Woods was found asleep in the road without shoes, according to USA Today, as Nordegren attempted to smash her way into the vehicle with a golf club — preceded by a National Enquirer report alleging an affair. Multiple women subsequently came forward with similar claims. The fallout cost Woods his marriage, major sponsorship deals and resulted in a stint in rehab for sex addiction. Nike was among the few commercial partners to stand by him.
Woods is expected to complete his current treatment programme and return to Vanessa’s side by the end of the month.
