Tiger Woods on how less is going to be more for the PGA Tour
Ahead of the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods is asked about potential changes to the PGA Tour schedule, which may have fewer tournaments.
The PGA Tour is coming to Tiger Woods’ backyard this week for the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. But don’t expect to see the 50-year-old legend tee off with Brooks Koepka and the rest of the field.
That’s not the tournament golf fans are itching to see Woods play, anyway. The “Florida swing” is a build-up to the Masters, the first major and most prestigious event on the sport’s calendar, and Woods clearly wants to play between in azaleas. The five-time Masters champion made his record 24th consecutive cut at Augusta in 2024, but a ruptured Achilles tendon caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. Back surgery in October was another setback that has kept him from even playing in his TGL indoor golf league just up the road from PGA National.
Woods hosted the Genesis Invitational last week and looked OK in short walks around Riviera. Asked before the tournament if playing the Masters was off the table, he replied simply: “No.” Whether he would also captain the 2027 Ryder Cup team is a different matter, though both reportedly have the same deadline.
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Is Tiger Woods playing this week on PGA Tour?
No. Tiger Woods is not in the field at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
Woods hasn’t played a PGA Tour event at PGA National since 2018, when the annual tournament was known as the Honda Classic. He finished 12th that year, with his best finish coming when he tied for second in 2012 behind Rory McIlroy.
Is Tiger Woods playing the Masters?
We’re not sure yet. Woods said Feb. 17 that he’s been hitting full shots in practice — “not well every day, but I can hit them” — but that his back still gives him issues. He reiterated Feb. 22 on CBS’ Genesis Invitational broadcast that “there is” a chance he plays the Masters.
“The Achilles is not an issue,” Woods said Feb. 17. “As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore and it takes time.”
The Masters begins April 9. Woods also opened the door to competing in PGA Tour Champions events, for which he is now eligible after turning 50, since he would be able to use a cart to get around the course.
Is Tiger Woods going to be at the Ryder Cup?
That again is yet to be seen. He is reportedly the only player currently under consideration, and multiple outlets have reported the PGA of America wants Woods’ response by the time the Masters begins.
“I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour,” he said before hosting the Genesis Invitational. “That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team — Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup — if I can do it justice.”
How to watch Cognizant Classic: TV schedule, streaming infoThursday, Feb. 26: Golf Channel (2-6 p.m.)Friday, Feb. 27: Golf Channel (2-6 p.m.)Saturday, Feb. 28: Golf Channel (1-3 p.m.) | NBC (3-6 p.m.)Sunday, March 1: Golf Channel (1-3 p.m.) | NBC (3-6 p.m.)Streaming: ESPN app (Select plan) | Fubo (Round 1-2) | Peacock (Round 3-4)
Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2026 Cognizant Classic broadcast nationally on Golf Channel starting at 2 p.m. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on Golf Channel at 1 p.m. before switching to NBC at 3 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1. Featured group and hole streaming from PGA Tour Live is available on the ESPN app with a subscription to the Select plan.