Tiger Woods has not ruled out playing in this year’s Masters. Speaking at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles, the five-time champion was asked whether Augusta National was off the table in April.
“No.”
Woods has not competed in a PGA Tour event since The Open Championship in 2024. Last fall, he underwent a spinal disc replacement, the latest procedure on a back that has required multiple surgeries. He is also recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered last spring.
“I’m trying [to come back], put it that way,” Woods said. “The disc replacement has been one thing. It’s been a challenge to — I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging.”
He said the recovery remains ongoing.
“It’s just one of those things where it’s each and 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 at a level at which I can play at the highest level again,” he said.
Woods confirmed he has been medically cleared to resume part of his practice.
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“I’ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons,” he said earlier this year. “I haven’t gone any beyond that.”
He also referenced the Achilles injury.
“The Achilles was not an issue. I can’t dunk a basketball anymore, so I don’t have to worry about that.”
Masters record and current position
Woods has won the Masters five times and made the cut at Augusta National a record 24 consecutive years earlier in his career. Injuries have limited his recent appearances, and he missed the cut in recent editions.
He has not committed to playing in April. The Masters begins in just over seven weeks.
Ryder Cup and Champions Tour eligibility
Woods was also asked about potentially serving as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. He previously declined the role for 2025, citing other responsibilities within the game.
In addition to tournament decisions, Woods turned 50 in December, making him eligible for the PGA Champions Tour, which permits the use of golf carts.
“And now, I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart,” Woods said. “That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do out here on [the PGA Tour] because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that’s certainly that opportunity.”
Woods remains active off the course as part of the PGA Tour’s policy board while continuing his rehabilitation.
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