Tiger Woods: Return to Golf Delayed
Legendary golfer Tiger Woods revealed that he only started practicing chipping and putting last week, and still has no set date for his return to competitive golf. Woods, who spoke to the media at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, indicated that his recovery from surgery to replace a disc in his lower back is slow. This surgery was performed to address pain and mobility issues. The procedure, Woods’ seventh in his career, took place on October 10.Woods will not participate in this week’s tournament, which his TGR foundation organizes and benefits. In addition, he will not compete with his son, Charlie, in the upcoming PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida, which will take place from December 18 to 21. The start of the TGL indoor golf season, which will begin on December 28, will also be missed.“It’s been slow. I can’t do a whole lot because of the disc replacement; I really can’t do a whole lot. Now, we get the clearance to start ramping it up a little bit in the gym, start strengthening and doing a little bit more of the rotational component that I haven’t been able to do, just letting the disc settle,” Woods stated.
Tiger Woods
Woods, who will turn 50 on December 30, will be eligible to compete next season on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, where he would be allowed to use a cart. When Woods was asked if he plans to participate in any senior tournaments in 2026, he joked that he would probably compete in 25 events on both circuits.“Unfortunately, I’ve been through this rehab process before. It’s step by step. Once I feel I can practice, explode, play, the recovery process, then I can assess where I’m going to play and how much I’ll play,” Woods explained.
Tiger Woods
Woods missed the entire 2025 season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon while intensifying his training in March. The winner of 82 PGA Tour titles was scheduled to compete in the Genesis Invitational, but withdrew, arguing that he was not ready to play after the death of his mother, Kultida, on February 4th. The last time Woods competed in a PGA Tour event was when he missed the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland in July 2024. He hasn’t played four rounds in an official tournament since finishing in 60th place at the 2024 Masters.“I think that should cover most of the year, right? No, I’m just looking forward to playing again. Let me do that, and then I’ll see what the schedule will be. I’m far from that part and that kind of decision, that kind of level of commitment,” he added.
Tiger Woods
Outside the field, Woods remains busy as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competitions Committee, which is exploring ways to improve the tour product, while continuing to compete with LIV Golf for attention. PGA Tour golfer Harris English suggested at last month’s RSM Classic that the 2027 tour schedule might not start until after the Super Bowl is played, and could include fewer events in future seasons. The new PGA Tour CEO, Brian Rolapp, a former NFL executive, has also hinted that significant changes could be coming in recent public comments.“I would like to play golf again. I haven’t played golf in a long time. It’s been a tough year. A lot of things have happened to me on and off the golf course that have been difficult. And my passion is simply to play, I haven’t done it in a long time,” Woods said.
Tiger Woods
“We are trying to give the fans the best possible product, and if we can give the fans the best possible product, I think we can give the players who have involvement in the tour, we can give them more of that. Therefore, the economic benefit could be fantastic for everyone involved,” said Woods, who added that the tour was working to implement changes in 2027.
Tiger Woods
