Tiger Woods Considers Return to Professional Golf this Year
The legendary golfer Tiger Woods does not rule out his return to professional golf, possibly at the Masters Tournament in April of this year. The fifteen-time major champion stated this on Tuesday. Woods, 50 years old, underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in October and suffered a rupture of the left Achilles tendon last March. He has not participated in any competition since the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2024.Although Woods mentioned that his left Achilles tendon is no longer an issue and he can perform full golf swings, recovery from the disc replacement surgery has presented greater challenges.“It’s been a challenge. My body has been through a lot. Every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get it to a level where I can play at the highest level.”
Tiger Woods
Currently, there is no official calendar for Woods’ return. In recent years, despite showing glimpses of his exceptional game, back surgeries have made it difficult for him to walk the 72 rounds of a tournament. Woods has previously dismissed the idea of playing using a cart, but on Tuesday he indicated that he would consider this option on the Champions Tour. Upon turning 50, Woods is eligible to participate in that circuit.“He’s just sore. It takes time. Will Zalatoris went through it, and it took him a while to come back. I’m a little older than him. It’ll probably take me a little longer.”
Tiger Woods
In addition to his rehabilitation, Woods is also on the PGA Tour’s board of directors and is vice chairman of the PGA Tour Enterprises board of directors. He has been involved in the remodeling of the PGA Tour’s format and schedule changes, which they hope to implement starting next season. For this reason, Woods has not yet made a decision about another role that has been proposed to him: to be captain of the American team at the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027.“I entered a new decade, so that number starts to sink in and makes us think about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart. That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do here on this circuit because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that’s certainly an opportunity.”
Tiger Woods
“I have been asked for my opinion on this, and I have not yet made a decision. I am trying to figure out what we are trying to do with our circuit. That has taken me hours and hours every day and trying to figure out if I can really do our team, our Team USA, and our players and everyone who will be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time.”
Tiger Woods
