A month in the past, Tiger Woods sat on the dais forward of the Genesis Invitational and gave the golf world a tease — one thing to doubtlessly search for on the horizon.
Woods, who underwent lumbar disc alternative surgical procedure in October, which adopted a surgical procedure to restore a ruptured Achilles tendon in March, was requested if taking part in within the 2026 Masters was “off the table” for him as his continues to rehab.
“No,” Woods mentioned slyly at Riviera Country Club. He later instructed CBS’s Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman that there was a real chance he’d make his return at Augusta National. He mentioned he’ll be at Augusta to open The Patch and revel in Rory McIlroy’s Champions Dinner and hoped to tee it up a few days after that ceremonial meal.
But with the Masters now simply 22 days away, Woods was requested for an replace on his progress after Jupiter Links’ TGL victory on Tuesday. The Woods who teased his potential return 4 weeks in the past was changed by one providing a extra real looking view of the place he stands in his restoration at age 50 after seven again surgical procedures and several other different procedures.
“I said I’ve been working on it,” Woods mentioned. “Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disc replacement is not a lot of fun. So Will Zalatoris went through it, he had two levels done, and it takes time. So as I said, I’ve had a lot of procedures prior to that, so the body doesn’t quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn’t quite bounce back. So I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it’s hard to just move around.”
A month in the past, Nantz and Immelman requested Woods if he would attempt to play a event earlier than the Masters as preparation, ought to his physique really feel prepared. At the time, Woods mentioned he was unsure if he’d tee it up in a PGA Tour Champions occasion or a common PGA Tour occasion. He hoped it will be a real looking chance, however the 50-year-old was going to go away that call as much as his physique.
TGL presents Woods with a potential alternative to check out the again with out having to stroll 18 holes. Woods, who has been attending each Jupiter match because the captain, was requested if he may tee it up in subsequent week’s TGL Finals in opposition to Los Angeles Golf Club.
One may anticipate Woods to provide a obscure reply to a minimum of draw extra curiosity within the simulator league’s championship spherical. But the 15-time main winner mentioned he deliberate to go away issues as much as Max Homa, Tom Kim, Akshay Bhatia and Kevin Kisner to convey residence the SoFi Cup.
“I think that I have been trying to play each and every one of these matches,” Woods mentioned. “I’ve been trying to come back. But it just hasn’t worked out that way. I’ve had a bad run of injuries last year. I think it’s been a year and a few days since I blew out my Achilles. And so then I’ve had two back operations. So it’s been a little rough go. But the guys here, this team, we have so much fun, I really don’t want to screw up the lineup, I just want these guys to keep playing.”
