Tiger Woods Makes His Stance Clear on Using a Golf Cart: “Certainly That Opportunity”
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 established his stance on golf carts clearly when he won the 2008 U.S. Open with a damaged ACL and a broken leg. But with his persistent back troubles, that stance might change.
During the 2026 Genesis Invitational pre-tournament press conference, Woods confirmed that he’s “trying” to return to playing on either the PGA Tour or the Champions Tour. But recovering from his disc replacement procedure has been a challenge lately.
“I've had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it's challenging,” Woods stated. “And now I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart.”
“That's something that, as I said, I won't do out here on this tour because I don't believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that's certainly that opportunity.”
February 16, 2025, La Jolla, California, USA: Tournament host TIGER WOODS made an appearance on the driving range during the morning of the final round of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. La Jolla USA - ZUMAt158 20250216_zsp_t158_077 Copyright: xBrentonxTsex
February 16, 2025, La Jolla, California, USA: Tournament host TIGER WOODS made an appearance on the driving range during the morning of the final round of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. La Jolla USA - ZUMAt158 20250216_zsp_t158_077 Copyright: xBrentonxTsex
Back in October 2025, Tiger Woods underwent a microdecompression and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Although he’s now able to walk independently, fusion stability will take a few more months. And a full recovery at the age of 50 might take up to a year, or more.
So, does he have a target for his return yet? Woods clearly stated, “I don't.” However, his words carried his restlessness to make a comeback.
But why doesn’t Woods support the use of golf carts?
Why Did Tiger Woods Vote Against Using a Cart on the PGA Tour
Ahead of the 2021 PNC Championship, Woods voted against using a cart. He was simply not ready to use his legitimate disability (fractured right leg), even though John Daly and Casey Martin have done so in the past.
“Absolutely not. Not for a PGA Tour event, no,” Woods asserted. “That's just not who I am. That's not how I've always been, and if I can't play at that level, I can't play at that level.”
Woods believed that walking is an “integral part of the game” at the elite level. And the PGA Tour doesn’t really sanction the use of golf carts. But he wouldn’t have any issue in opting for a cart during the Champions Tour.
Do you think he should get a cart and return to the course?
Read more at Daily Club Golf!
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu