Tiger Woods: 2026 Masters ‘not off the table’ but no timetable for return

Tiger Woods says competing at this year’s Masters is “not off the table” but the 15-time major champion still has no timetable for his return.

Woods, who turned 50 on 30 December, underwent surgery in October to replace a disc in his back.

It was the latest in a series of operations and injuries that have kept the American sidelined since missing the cut at The Open in July 2024.

“It’s just one of those things where it’s each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing,” said Woods.

“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.”

Speaking at the Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles, where he hosts this week’s Genesis Invitational, Woods said he has progressed from chipping and putting practice and is now “able to” hit full shots.

“Not well every day, but I can hit them,” he said.

“As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time. My body has been through a lot.”

Woods claimed his fifth Masters title in 2019, ending an 11-year major championship drought, and added that he had not ruled out competing at Augusta from 9-12 April.

He suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash before undergoing a back operation in September 2024 and suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon last March.

“I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging,” said the 50-year-old. “Now I’ve 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 [on the Champions Tour].”