Tiger Woods made a rare video appearance this week to honor longtime friend and former pro golfer Notah Begay, but the tribute quickly prompted concern from some fans who focused on Woods’ appearance.
In the video, Woods congratulated Begay on his acceptance of the Payne Stewart Award, recognizing both his golf career and his work supporting Native American communities.
A personal message for a longtime friend
Woods recalled meeting Begay when he was 11 years old at a junior golf event.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride with you,” Woods said in the video. “You first came into my life when I was 11 years old, playing in the junior world, and you came to watch me play. Our friendship has started there and never ended.”
Woods noted Begay’s four PGA Tour wins and Presidents Cup appearance, but said his work away from the course deserved wider attention.
“To see what you’ve done off the course and for your local Native American communities, you’ve helped over 80,000 youths and their families, which is absolutely incredible,” Woods said.
He also praised Begay’s work connected to a sports complex in San Felipe and his broader efforts in tribal communities.
“I just think more people need to know what you’ve done and how you’ve served,” Woods said. “Again, thank you for coming to see me play. Thank you for getting our friendship started and I love you, dude.”
Fans react to Woods’ appearance
Although Woods’ message centered on Begay, some social media users reacted to how Woods looked in the video.
“What’s going on with the big cat? Looks different for sure,” one fan wrote, according to the source material.
Another wrote, “Tiger looks a shell of his former self Sadly,” while a third said, “Geez, Tiger doesn’t look so good.”
Not every viewer shared the concern. One fan pushed back, writing, “There’s nothing wrong with him.”
Recent off-course attention
The renewed attention comes after the source material reported that Woods was involved in a rollover accident in March, escaped without injuries, was found with opioid tablets at the scene and refused a drug test. The source also said Woods underwent a rehab stint in Switzerland in April.
According to the source material, Woods has a court appearance related to the crash scheduled for September 8.
No medical explanation for Woods’ appearance in the video was provided in the source material.
