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Tiger Woods’ pursuit of the elusive 16th major championship could resume one day – but it remains unclear when that will actually happen.
Woods’ 15 major wins rank second on the all-time majors wins list, trailing only Jack Nicklaus. But Woods’ great career has been derailed by a long series of injuries and subsequent operations. In recent years, back problems have plagued the golf icon. Earlier this fall, Woods underwent a seventh procedure to address his back.
In his first public comments since the procedure, Woods shared his hopes of eventually returning. The five-time Masters Tournament winner also cautioned that there is no timetable in place for a potential comeback.
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Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club waves to fans as he is introduced at the start of a TMRW Golf League (TGL) match against Boston Common Golf, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
“I just started this process,” Woods said in a pre-tournament press conference at the Hero World Challenge. “A disc replacement takes time. It’s longer – thank God it’s not as long as a fusion, but it’s going to take time.”
Woods’ back problems first surfaced in 2014. October’s surgery marked the second back procedure for Woods in about a year. 12 months.
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In addition to his back problems, Woods also suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon earlier this year.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his playing future, Woods revealed he was recently cleared to chip and putt. The next step in his recovery involves rebuilding his strength.
Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the 13th tee during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 11, 2018 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Woods, 49, will be eligible to compete on the PGA TOUR Champions beginning in 2026. Tournaments on that circuit have three rounds and allow the use of a golf cart. “I really haven’t delved into what the schedule looks like on the Champions Tour other than a few tournaments.”
Woods is not expected to be ready to compete when the TGL season starts.
Tiger Woods of the United States walks the second hole during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Woods said he’s taking a day-by-day approach.
“I’m just looking forward to let me get back to playing again, let me do that and then I’ll kind of figure out what the schedule is going to be,” Woods said. “I’m a long way from that part of it and that type of decision, that type of commitment level. Unfortunately, I’ve been through this rehab process before, it’s just step by step. Once I get a feel for practicing, exploding, playing, the recovery process, then I can assess where I’m going to play and how much I’m going to play.”
Woods has been away from competitive golf since July’s The Open Championship. The only time he made the cut this season was in April at the Masters. He missed the cut in the season’s three remaining majors.
