LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods is keeping open the possibility that he might play in this year’s Masters Tournament, even as he continues to recover from surgery and think about other golf roles. Woods spoke Tuesday at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
Woods, 50, said he has not decided yet whether he will compete at Augusta National Golf Club in April. He had back surgery last fall to replace a spinal disc, a major operation that has kept him from playing in regular tournaments. When asked if the Masters is off the table, he simply said, “No.”
Woods is one of golf’s greatest players. He has won the Masters five times and made the cut at the event a record 24 straight times before missing the cut in recent years. But injuries have slowed him. He has not played in a PGA Tour event since 2024, when he competed at The Open Championship.
The golf star said he can now hit full shots as part of his rehabilitation, but he still feels soreness in his back some days. He said he is working hard every day to build strength and endurance so that his body can handle the physical demands of top-level golf again.
Woods also talked about being asked to serve as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. He said he wants to make sure he has enough time to do the job well if he accepts.
In the past, Woods turned down the chance to lead the Ryder Cup team when it was offered for 2025. He said back then that his other golf duties kept him too busy to give the team his full attention.
Even though he has been dealing with injuries, Woods remains active in golf away from competition. He is part of the PGA Tour’s policy board and is helping with plans to reshape the tour’s schedule.
For now, Woods is taking things day by day. He said he is focused on getting stronger and seeing how his recovery goes. Whether he plays at the Masters or leads the Ryder Cup team, his decisions are not final.