Golf’s most famous family finds hope

Cheyenne WoodsLaPresse

Cheyenne Woods has spent much of the past two years navigating a reality far removed from leaderboards and fairways, and this week Tiger Woods‘ niece shared an update that quietly reshaped that journey.

With competition buzzing around the LPGA season and a new personal project launching, Woods revealed that her daughter, Maya, has reached a significant medical milestone after a long and emotionally draining health battle.

According to Golfweek, Woods confirmed that Maya no longer requires a G-tube, a development that came late last year and marked a turning point for the family. It was a moment that reflected progress rather than closure, offering relief after months defined by hospital visits, therapy sessions and uncertainty.

Maya‘s challenges began early. As an infant, she struggled with failure to thrive, a condition that made feeding difficult and forced Woods into a relentless routine that left little room for rest or reassurance.

“I felt like everything was on me,” Woods said previously. “You’re in your bubble every day, all day just trying to get her all the milk she could possibly get, and it just wasn’t working.”

Initially, Maya relied on an NG tube before transitioning to a G-tube at around 10 months old. The change helped stabilize her nutrition but introduced new complications, including frequent vomiting and intensive feeding therapy.

Over time, those efforts began to pay off. By the time she reached 18 months, Maya was walking, engaging with her siblings and showing what Woods‘ family affectionately describes as a spirited personality.

More than one medical challenge

Feeding was only part of the story. Maya was also diagnosed with laryngomalacia, a condition that restricts airflow and causes labored, whistling breaths.

Woods recognized it immediately, having undergone surgery for the same condition as an infant.

“It’s almost like you’re breathing through a straw,” she explained, describing how even simple breathing became exhausting for her daughter.

Surgery helped ease the issue, but doctors later identified café au lait spots, leading to a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1.

While many cases are manageable, the condition requires ongoing monitoring and added another layer of concern for Woods and her husband, former MLB outfielder Aaron Hicks.

Through it all, small victories mattered. The removal of the G-tube was one of them, a sign that Maya‘s body was beginning to catch up after months of intervention.

Strength found through shared experience

During the most overwhelming moments, Woods found support from someone who understood the fear intimately.

Retired LPGA player Jane Park, who stepped away from professional golf to care for her daughter with intractable epilepsy, became a source of comfort. Their bond grew through shared conversations and mutual understanding.

Park‘s words stayed with Woods. “You’re a good parent, and you’re doing everything you can,” she told her, a reminder Woods later described as grounding when nothing else felt steady.

As her family reached this new stage, Woods also began channeling her experiences into life beyond competition.

She recently launched Real Game, a podcast focused on the mental grind of elite sports, featuring candid conversations with athletes about pressure, failure and perseverance, including an episode with Hicks.

The timing felt fitting. The same patience and resilience required in motherhood now shape how Woods approaches storytelling and sport.

Maya‘s progress does not signal the end of the journey, but it does mark a hopeful turn. For Cheyenne Woods, it is a reminder that growth often arrives quietly, built through persistence, community and the courage to keep moving forward.