NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
In less than two months, Tiger Woods could take over at historic Augusta National.
The five-time Masters champion has not ruled out a return to the major tournament after skipping it last year. When asked by reporters Tuesday if he could play at the Masters in April, Woods said, without elaborating, “No.”
Woods reached the Masters for a record 24th consecutive time in 2024. He leaves the door open despite recovering from his seventh back surgery, a procedure to replace a disc and a short-term schedule that does not appear to include competitive golf.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Tiger Woods of the United States laughs during a practice session 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 training in my prime,” Woods said at the Genesis Invitational, alluding to the responsibilities he shares in trying to reshape the PGA Tour schedule. “It doesn’t compare to what we did in the boardroom.”
Woods’ workload will likely determine whether he serves as U.S. captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. He declined the position two years ago, citing lack of time to meaningfully engage with his work.
TIGER WOODS OFFERS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS SINCE LATEST BACK SURGERY AMID GROWING CONCERN ABOUT GOLF’S RETURN
Woods celebrated his 50th birthday late last year, making him eligible for PGA Tour Champions.
He missed every PGA Tour event last year, marking the first time in Woods’ storied career that he didn’t play in a single tournament. He also has yet to compete in the indoor TGL league.
“Well, I try — in other words,” he said, adding that he can hit 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 was operated on in March 2025 for a ruptured Achilles tendon which no longer holds him back. He said his lower back hurts 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 endurance in this body and trying to get it to a level where I can play at the highest level again.”
Its main interest is inside. He is a member of the PGA Tour Board of Directors and PGA Tour Enterprises, heading the “Future Competition Committee” that is trying to create a model to achieve CEO Brian Rolapp’s goal of fewer tournaments that are more meaningful to top players.
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)
The only thing clear is that a new model likely won’t be ready by 2027. The committee reached agreement on a big start to the season — which could take place the week after or before the Super Bowl — to bring big events to bigger markets and become the must-see sport of the summer.
Woods also expressed his belief in the importance of creating a pathway for golf’s next group of stars.
“We’re trying to create opportunities for that turnover … to get more young guys here because they’re going to eventually take over the game,” Woods said. “So trying to create that opportunity, trying to create the right competitive model and environment to foster that, that’s been the biggest challenge of all of this.”
