Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, is in the midst of one of the deepest professional recoveries after his seventh and presumably last back operation. He had the procedure done in New York City on October 10. As he begins to return to the game he loves, Woods recently revealed that he only resumed chipping and putting last week, marking a tentative step towards a potential comeback.
Woods is focused on doing whatever it takes to regain his strength and skills. He’s unsure when — or if — he’ll play competitive golf again. He stated, “I’d like to come back to just playing golf again,” reflecting his desire to return to the sport despite the hurdles he faces. He’s failed to play four rounds in an official tournament since his 60th-place finish at the 2024 Masters. In April 2025, Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon, forcing him to miss the entire 2025 tour season. This injury complicated his return to competition even more.
Woods was set to compete in the Genesis Invitational before he withdrew at the last second. The beloved golf icon won’t be attending the upcoming PNC Championship. He had planned to race with his son, Charlie. This decision follows shortly after the death of his mother, Kultida, on February 4. Her loss has taken a profound personal and professional toll on him.
Woods’ most recent appearance in a PGA Tour event came at The Open Championship. That was the setting of the 151st Open Championship, occurring at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland in July 2024. Now, as he continues his journey through rehabilitation, he reflects on the realities of recovery. “Unfortunately, I’ve been through this rehab process before,” Woods noted, alluding to his extensive history with injuries and surgeries.
Now, even as Woods recovers and rejoins the field, he’s improving the sport he loves. He serves as the chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee, where he is exploring ways to enhance the tour’s product for its fans and players alike. “We’re trying to give the fans the best product we possibly can, and if we’re able to give the fans the best product we can, I think we can make the players who have equity in the tour, we can give them more of that,” he stated about his vision for the future of the PGA Tour.
Woods will celebrate his 50th birthday on December 30. This milestone means he will be eligible to take his big-time talents to the PGA Tour Champions circuit beginning in 2026. He will be absent from the beginning of the TGL indoor golf campaign, which tees off on December 28. Now firmly on the road to recovery, the ever-positive Woods is realistic yet optimistic about his return.
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