15-time major champion Tiger Woods has affirmed competing again at The Masters is “not off the table” although a timeline on his return has still yet to be established.
The 50-year-old has been recovering from a seventh back surgery of his career in October to address a collapsed disc in his spine. Prior to that, he had been in the process of recovering from an achilles surgery to repair a ruptured left achilles suffered in March which ruled him out of the 2025 season.
Since 2020, Woods has only made 11 competitive starts with his most recent coming at the Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024. Since then, the 82-time PGA TOUR winner has been hampered by numerous setbacks.
In a press conference ahead of this week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, an event Woods will host, he provided a positive update on his health and recovery.
“It’s just one of those things where it’s each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing,” said Woods.
“I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again.”
He revealed that he has resumed practising his shots, particularly chipping and putting.
“Not well every day, but I can hit them,” he said. “As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time. My body has been through a lot.”
When asked if The Masters in April was “off the table”, Woods responded by shaking his head and giving a short “no” leaving the door open for a sensational return to Augusta but was unable to provide a firm date on a return to competitive action with Woods now also eligible to take part on the PGA TOUR Champions.
“I’m trying, put it that way,” he said. “The disc replacement has been one thing, it’s been a challenge. I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in.
“Thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart. I won’t do that out here on this tour because I don’t believe in it but on the Champions Tour there’s certainly an opportunity.”
Woods also confirmed that he has been asked to lead Team USA at the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor and is weighing up the offer.
“They have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” said Woods. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour.
“That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team, our Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time.
“Serving on two boards and what I’m doing for the PGA Tour, I’m trying to figure out if I can actually do this and serve the people that are involved and serve them at an honourable level.”