PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Tiger Woods has not ruled out a return to competitive golf at the Masters Tournament in April, the 15-time major champion revealed Tuesday at Riviera Country Club, where he is hosting the Genesis Invitational. While still recovering from multiple surgeries, including a recent lumbar disc replacement, Woods indicated a return to Augusta National remains a possibility.
The announcement comes as Woods continues his rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon, sustained in March 2025, and the seventh surgical procedure on his back, performed last October. He has not competed since missing the cut at the 2024 British Open.
“No,” Woods responded succinctly when asked directly if the Masters was off the table, a response accompanied by a noticeable shift in his demeanor, according to reports. The brief answer offered a glimmer of hope for fans eager to see the 50-year-old return to the highest level of competition.
While Woods acknowledged progress in his recovery, he remained realistic about the challenges ahead. He confirmed he has regained the ability to hit full shots, a significant milestone, but emphasized that his back continues to be a source of discomfort. “As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time,” Woods said. “My body has been through a lot.”
The road to recovery has been arduous for Woods, marked by a series of setbacks in recent years. A serious car accident in 2021 threatened his career and mobility, and he has openly discussed scaling back his playing schedule to focus on major championships and select events. He missed the cut in three of the four majors in 2024, finishing 60th at the Masters, the only major where he made the weekend.
Despite the physical toll, Woods expressed a continued determination to compete. “It’s just one of those things where it’s each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, 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 stated.
The Achilles injury, which initially sidelined him for much of the 2025 PGA Tour season, is no longer a limiting factor, Woods confirmed. However, the back remains the primary obstacle. He jokingly acknowledged his physical limitations, stating, “I can’t dunk a basketball anymore, so don’t have to worry about that.”
The possibility of competing on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior tour for golfers aged 50 and over, has also been discussed. Woods is now eligible for the Champions Tour and could potentially utilize a golf cart to navigate the course, easing the physical strain. However, he has not committed to that path, emphasizing his focus remains on returning to the PGA Tour.
Woods’s recent history has been defined by resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He has overcome numerous injuries and challenges throughout his career, and his determination to return to competitive golf continues to inspire fans worldwide. His announcement regarding the Masters, while not a guarantee of participation, offers a renewed sense of optimism for his supporters.
The Genesis Invitational, which begins Thursday, will proceed without Woods in the field. He will continue his rehabilitation and assess his progress in the coming months, with the Masters Tournament serving as a potential target for his highly anticipated return. The golf world will be watching closely, hoping to witness another chapter in the remarkable career of Tiger Woods.
As of February 3, 2026, Woods hadn’t played a sanctioned event in over a year, his last appearance being at the British Open in July 2024. He has participated in some The Golf League matches, but ultimately tore his Achilles during those events. He has been sidelined since March 2025.
