Vanessa Trump had made an incredible impact on Tiger Woods, as he recovers from lumbar disk replacement surgery and retirement inches closer
13:26 ET, 11 Dec 2025Updated 13:32 ET, 11 Dec 2025
Tiger Woods retirement inches closer after seventh back surgery(Image: Getty Images)
Vanessa Trump seems to be making a significant impact on Tiger Woods’ life as he recovers from a seventh back surgery with a potential retirement looming.
Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., and Woods began dating last year, announcing their relationship on social media in March. Both live in Florida, where their children attend the same high school, The Benjamin School.
Woods has totaled over 30 injuries in his career and, after having lumbar disc replacement surgery in October, retirement seems to be inching closer. According to one report, the couple is doing well, and that Trump has made a positive impact on Woods’ life.
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“She came into his life at just the right time,” a source close to Woods told the Daily Mail. “She showed up as he was seriously considering what happens next in his career. She has added so much stability on the home front, and he gushes about her influence in his life.”
“And it’s gotten really, really serious,’ the source continues. “It’s a much more mature relationship than anything he’s been in before, and he’s going into it with his eye on something long term. Ideally, for the rest of his life. Of everyone he’s dated since [his ex-wife] Elin, I’d say Vanessa is the closest thing to a soulmate he’s ever had.”
Woods, who divorced from his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, in 2010 after multiple cheating reports, has been with Trump for over a year.
Vanessa Trump has been huge supporter of Woods’ career as he questions retirement
“She’s going to be the one who’s with him during his transition away from the sport,” the source adds. “Whenever he misses the competition, he can talk to her; she grounds him and is just there for him to bounce things off of. She’s a true partner in every sense of the word.”
Speaking last week at the Hero World Championship, Woods said healing from his surgery has been a long process, something he wasn’t hoping for.
“It’s been slow,” Woods said. “Not able to do much on a disk replacement to let it set; can’t really do much. Now, we got the OK to start cranking up a little bit in the gym, started strengthening and started doing a little bit more of the rotational component that I haven’t been able to do, just letting the disk kind of set.”
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Woods has been cleared to chip and putt, but there is no set date of when he will return to competitive play.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been through this rehab process before,” said Woods. “It’s just step by step. Once I get a feel for practicing, exploding, playing, the recovery process, then I can assess where I’m going to play and how much I’ll play.”
