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In less than two months, Tiger Woods could play again at the historic Augusta National.
The five-time Masters champion did not rule out returning to the major after skipping it last year. When asked by reporters Tuesday if he could compete in the Masters in April, Woods responded without elaborating: “No.”
Woods made the cut at the Masters for a record 24th consecutive time in 2024. He leaves the door open despite recovering from his seventh back surgery, a disc replacement procedure and a short-term schedule that doesn’t appear to include competitive golf.
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Tiger Woods of the United States laughs during a practice round ahead of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
“I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing at my best,” Woods said at the Genesis Invitational, alluding to the responsibilities he shares in trying to reshape the PGA Tour calendar. “It doesn’t compare to what we’ve done in the boardroom.”
Woods’ workload will likely influence whether he will take over the United States captaincy for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. He declined the position two years ago, citing a lack of time to commit to the job in a meaningful way.
TIGER WOODS OFFERS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS SINCE LAST BACK SURGERY AMID GROWING CONCERN ABOUT GOLF’S RETURN
Woods celebrated his 50th birthday late last year, making him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions.
He missed every PGA Tour event last year, marking the first time in Woods’ storied career that he did not compete in a single tournament. He also has not yet competed in the Indoor TGL league.
“Well, I’m trying, let’s put it that way,” he said, adding that he can take full shots, but not every day “and not very well.”
Tiger Woods celebrates during the trophy presentation after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019, in Augusta, Georgia. (Allen Eyestone/The Augusta Chronicle)
He underwent surgery in March 2025 for a ruptured Achilles tendon, which no longer stops him. He said his lower back hurt, and at his age, “it’s probably going to take me a little longer.”
“My body has been through a lot,” Woods said. “Every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more stamina in this body and trying to get to a level where I can play at the highest level again.”
Its main interest is the interior. He is on the board of directors of the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Enterprises business, heading the “Future Competition Committee” that is trying to create a model to meet CEO Brian Rolapp’s goal of fewer tournaments that are more meaningful for top players.
Jupiter Links Golf Club’s Tiger Woods greets 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)
The only thing clear is that a new model will most likely not be ready by 2027. The committee reached an agreement on a big start to the season (which could be the week before or after the Super Bowl), bringing the big events to bigger markets and becoming the must-see sport of the summer.
Woods also expressed his belief in the importance of creating a path for the next group of golf stars.
“We’re trying to create opportunities for that change… to bring more young people here because eventually they will take over the game,” Woods said. “So trying to create that opportunity, trying to create the right competitive model and the environment to foster it, that’s been the biggest challenge of all.”
