Photo by Tim Heitman and Getty Images
Woods is not planning a return any time soon.
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Tiger Woods has been at the center of golf headlines for decades, and his struggles over the past few years have become nearly as significant as his triumphs. The 15-time major champion remains one of the most iconic athletes in sports history, but his path back to competitive golf has been rocky and uncertain, with no clear finish line in sight.
Woods, now 50 years old, has not competed in a traditional PGA Tour event since the summer of 2024. According to The Spun, his last start in a sanctioned tournament came at The Open Championship in July 2024, where he missed the cut and hinted at challenges that would later define his 2025 season.
Since then, Tiger’s time on the course has been limited. In early 2025, he participated in a handful of matches for The Golf League (TGL), an indoor golf competition he helped launch, but a severe injury derailed those plans. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025 while training, an injury that required surgery and kept him out of action for the remainder of that year.
Recent Setbacks Make A Return Difficult For Tiger
That setback was just one chapter in a series of physical challenges. Woods underwent yet another major procedure in October 2025, a lumbar disc replacement surgery intended to address persistent pain and loss of mobility in his lower back. It was one of many operations he’s endured on his spine over the past decade, including several microdiscectomy procedures and a spinal fusion.
At a media appearance in December 2025 at the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts but did not play, Woods spoke openly about his recovery, though he made it clear there are still significant hurdles ahead. “It’s not as fast as I’d like it to be,” he said, describing the slow pace of his rehabilitation. “I’d like to come back to just playing golf again. I haven’t played golf in a long time.”
Despite the frustration, Tiger’s passion for the game remains evident. He admitted that the rehab process, especially after the disc replacement, has been gradual. For weeks after the procedure, he was limited to chipping, putting, and light gym work as doctors carefully guided his progress. “I’ve got to hit more shots than just chip and putt in TGL. There’s a few drives I might have to hit,” he remarked, emphasizing how much more work is left before he could consider swinging full shots again.
When asked about returning to major PGA Tour events or even establishing a timetable for his comeback, Woods declined to set firm goals. He acknowledged that, while he would love to return to tournament golf, he simply does not know when that might happen. His focus is on gradually rebuilding strength and flexibility rather than rushing back and risking further injury.
One intriguing possibility Tiger has hinted at involves the PGA Tour Champions, a circuit for senior players that he becomes eligible for in 2026 after turning 50 at the end of December. With the Champions Tour allowing carts in many events and having a less grueling schedule, some believe this could be a viable next chapter for Woods’s competitive career.
There is also the matter of TGL, which Woods helped create as part of golf’s evolving competitive landscape. While he hasn’t played much in that league due to injury, he has stayed involved with his Jupiter Links team, attending events and offering support from the sidelines.
For fans around the world, Tiger Woods’s legacy is already secure. Fifteen major championships, countless PGA Tour victories, and countless memories have cemented his place among the greatest to ever play. Yet the question of whether he still has unfinished business on the golf course, and how much longer he can chase that dream, continues to captivate the golf world.