Tiger Woods Addresses His Comeback Hopes With a Cryptic Answer as the Masters Nears
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Tiger Woods watches his tee shot off the 10th hole during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20241222_fap_w109_049 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
December 22, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Tiger Woods watches his tee shot off the 10th hole during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20241222_fap_w109_049 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
Tiger Woods has cast fresh doubt on his return to competitive golf.
Following his seventh back surgery (lumbar disc replacement to treat a collapsed disc and compromised lower spine), Tiger Woods has been away from active gameplay. But he has been eyeing a return, even though he’s “a ways away from that type of decision.”
Talking to the media after the Jupiter Links GC beat Atlanta Drive GC, the moderator at the presser asked Woods about his health and his possible return to playing at the TGL.
The former world number one answered, “Playing here? I don't know. I like watching these guys. As far as competitive golf, it's still some time.”
Bildnummer: 00975767 Datum: 16.05.2002 Copyright: imago/Sven Simon Eldrick Tiger Woods (USA) schaut seinem Abschlag mit dem Nike-Driver hinterher; quer, close Deutsche Bank SAP Open 2002, TPC of Europe, European PGA-Tour, Golfen, Vdig Heidelberg St. Leon Rot Golf Herren Einzel Deutschland Einzelbild Aktion Personen
Bildnummer: 00975767 Datum: 16.05.2002 Copyright: imago/Sven Simon Eldrick Tiger Woods (USA) schaut seinem Abschlag mit dem Nike-Driver hinterher; quer, close Deutsche Bank SAP Open 2002, TPC of Europe, European PGA-Tour, Golfen, Vdig Heidelberg St. Leon Rot Golf Herren Einzel Deutschland Einzelbild Aktion Personen
With Augusta National looming, Woods’ cryptic answer does little to confirm whether fans will see him tee it up at the Masters once again.
The 15-time major champion hasn’t played regular PGA Tour events since he missed the cut for the 2024 Open Championship. But it’s his post-surgery rehabilitation that’s delaying his return.
Back in December 2025, Tiger Woods stated, “I’m probably going to play probably 25 events on both tours, and I think that should cover most of the year.”
Nevertheless, he’s already on the road to recovery and is working his way to an epic comeback.
Tiger Woods Weighs In on His Recovery Process
A couple of weeks ago, Woods revealed, “I’m moving up to short irons, so that’s about it. I need a little bit more than that to be able to play here. At my speed right now, I could probably play the Stinger hole. Just kind of roll it off the tee.”
“But no, I’m progressing, which is nice. I’m getting there and getting stronger. It’s just one of those things where it just takes so much time for the bone to heal and the bone to set.”
Woods has had multiple lumbar spine procedures done, and recovery from such cases is non-linear and highly individualized. An early return would carry a risk of re-injury. For now, it’s caution that’s limiting Woods’ return to the golf course.
But then again, the former world number one is already working towards it. His movement seemed better at the TGL, even though he wasn’t playing.
That means his return isn’t far away. But we might not see him competing at the Masters Tournament this year.
What do you think about his return? Tell us in the comments!
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Written by
Krushna Pattnaik