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Tiger Woods’ pursuit of the elusive 16th major championship could resume one day – but it’s not yet clear when that will actually happen.
Woods’ 15 major victories rank second on the all-time major victories list, behind Jack Nicklaus. But Woods’ storied career was disrupted by a long list of injuries and subsequent surgeries. In recent years, old-fashioned problems have plagued the golf icon. Earlier this fall, Woods underwent a seventh surgery to repair his back.
In his first public comments since the procedure, Woods shared his hopes of eventually returning. The five-time Masters Tournament winner also warned there was no timetable in place for a possible return.
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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’ve only just started this process,” Woods said during a pre-tournament press conference at the Hero World Challenge. “Replacing a drive takes time. It’s longer – it’s not as long as a merge, thank God, but it’s going to take time.”
Woods’ back problems first emerged in 2014. The October surgery marked the second back procedure for Woods in about 12 months.
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Aside from his back issues, Woods also suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon earlier this year.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his playing future, Woods revealed he was recently allowed to chip and putt. The next step in his recovery is to regain 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 PGA TOUR Champions starting in 2026. Tournaments on that tour feature three rounds and allow the use of a golf cart. “I haven’t really delved into the Champions Tour schedule, except for a few tournaments.”
Woods is not expected to be ready to compete when the TGL season begins.
Tiger Woods of the United States tees off on the second hole during a practice round before 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 getting back to playing, let me do that, and then I’ll kind of figure out what the schedule is going to be,” Woods said. “I’m far from that part and that type of decision, that type of level of commitment. Unfortunately, I’ve already been through this rehab process, it’s just step by step. Once I feel like I’m training, exploding, playing, the recovery process, then I can evaluate where I’m going to play and how much I’m going to play.”
Woods has been away from competitive golf since July’s Open Championship. The only time he was successful this season was in April at the Masters. He missed the cut in the three remaining major tournaments of the season.
