Tiger Woods still has hopes of competing in April’s Masters as the 15-time major champion continues his recent return from injury.
The 50-year-old hasn’t played in an official PGA Tour event since missing out on the British Open in July 2024, and has made just 11 official starts since a car accident in 2021.
Woods tore his Achilles tendon in March and underwent disc replacement surgery in October, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season.
Ahead of his Genesis Invitational, Woods was asked if the Masters was “off the table.”
“No,” he told reporters.
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Woods added that he doesn’t have a specific goal for a return to competitive action at this time, but he gave the nod to the possibility of joining the Champions Tour.
“I’m trying, if you will,” he explained. “Replacing discs is one thing, it’s been a challenge. Now that we’re entering a new decade, those numbers are starting to stick.
“I’m thinking about the opportunity to play in karts. I don’t believe in that so I won’t do that on this tour, but there’s certainly an opportunity on the Champions Tour.”
Woods said he has taken time for his body to fully recover from the effects of disc replacement surgery, which adds to the lengthy surgeries he has had over the last few years of his career.
However, he explained that he is now able to hit the full shot, even if it is far from his iconic best.
“My Achilles is fine,” he said. “I can’t dunk in basketball anymore.
“Replacing discs is just painful and time consuming.
“My body has been through a lot. It’s one of those things and I just keep working on it every day and keep progressing and working on it. I’m trying to get this body to a level where I can play at the highest level again.”
“Well, I’m able to hit (full shots) now. It doesn’t work out every day, but I can hit it.”
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Woods has won the Masters five times during his storied career, his most recent appearance at Augusta coming in 2024, when he finished 60th.
Meanwhile, he admitted he is pondering whether he could captain the US Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027.
“They’ve asked for my opinion on it, but I haven’t made a decision yet,” Woods said. “I’m thinking about what I’m going to do on tour.
“It drove me for hours every day, trying to figure out if I could actually contribute to our team, Team USA, the players and everyone involved in the Ryder Cup and do justice to my time.
“I’m serving on two boards and what I’m doing on the PGA Tour is trying to figure out if I can actually do this and serve the people involved at an honorable level.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour will be in California for another signature event, the Genesis Invitational, with Tiger Woods’ foundation hosting the event at Riviera Country Club and both Scheffler and McIlroy scheduled to perform.
Ludwig Oberg returns as defending champion and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 3.15pm on Thursday, ahead of full coverage from 9pm. Get Sky Sports now and stream without a contract.
