Tiger Woods running out of options to make Masters | Golf News

Tiger Woods has only one alternative left to make his PGA Tour Champions debut and get some follow in before the Masters.

Woods is nearing a comeback after accidents sidelined him for all of 2025. The 15-time major champion hasn’t performed competitively since the 2024 Open Championship, having undergone surgical procedures last yr to restore a ruptured Achilles tendon and a bulging disk.

However, Woods has obtained medical clearance to play again, and he is hinted at doubtlessly taking part in the Masters, which begins at Augusta National on April 9. It comes after a manhunt for a killer gunman pressured a Players Championship delay as a suspect fled.

Having turned 50 in December, Woods is now eligible to compete on the PGA Tour’s senior circuit, and he is expressed his intention to do so when his health permits.

After a extended absence, it has been urged that Woods would ideally take part in a warm-up event on the PGA Tour Champions before the Masters, reasonably than leaping straight back into aggressive motion at Augusta National after a prolonged break.

However, Woods has missed the deadline to commit to next week’s Cologuard Classic, leaving the Hoag Classic – beginning on March 27 – as the only remaining Champions Tour event he might take part in before the Masters.

In idea, Woods might play in one of the three remaining PGA Tour occasions before the first major of the yr – the Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Texas Valero Open – with a sponsor’s exemption.

There’s also a chance he might take part in next week’s TGL playoffs, with his Jupiter Links workforce set to face Boston Common on Wednesday. The rosters for the matchup stay undisclosed, and Woods would possibly gain some aggressive expertise by taking part in in the elimination-style simulator league contest.

However, competing in a senior event seems to be the perfect preparation given Woods’ state of affairs. Not only would he return to aggressive motion, but he would also benefit from utilizing a cart, minimizing the bodily pressure on a physique still dealing with the lasting affect of a critical car accident in 2021.

Woods thrilled his supporters last month when he confirmed the chance of competing at the Masters. Speaking to CBS at The Genesis Invitational, he said: “I know I’ll be there. We’re going to open up The Patch [golf course], and Trev Immelman and I are going to be part of a great dinner.”

When questioned about the possibility of him teeing off, Woods responded: “There is.” During a press convention forward of the event he hosts at Riviera Country Club, Woods elaborated on his bodily condition.

“The Achilles was not an issue. I can’t dunk a basketball anymore, so don’t have to worry about that,” he quipped. “As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time. Will Zalatoris went through it, and it took him a whilst to come back. I’m a little bit older than Willy Z.

“It’s in all probability going to take me a little bit longer. My physique has been through a lot. It’s just one of those issues where it is each and every day, I keep attempting, I keep progressing, I keep working on it, attempting to get stronger, attempting to get more endurance in this physique and attempting to get it at a degree at which I can play at the best degree again.”