Due to various physical ailments, Tiger Woods has been absent from professional golfing competitions following the 2024 Open Championship. However, this absence hasn’t diminished speculation within the golfing community regarding his potential return. Intriguingly, there’s a distinct possibility that Woods’ next competitive appearance might occur on the PGA Tour Champions, rather than the PGA Tour, where he achieved considerable success earlier in his career.
Woods will reach the age of 50 on December 30, making him eligible for participation in the senior tour—a circumstance recognized by both the tour and its presiding figure.
“Indeed, we are prepared and ready,” Miller Brady, the president of the PGA Tour Champions, stated to Golf Channel. “Over the past year, we’ve engaged in extensive planning in anticipation of Tiger’s 50th birthday. Our tournaments are ready should he decide to participate.”
“This entails augmented security measures, transportation arrangements, portable restrooms, and enhanced concession services – all considered during our preparations.”
In October, Woods revealed that he had undergone a seventh surgical procedure on his back to address a lumbar disc issue. At the time, no return date was provided, since the operation was carried out while the 15-time major victor was recuperating from a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg, which he suffered before the 2025 Masters.
Although Woods hasn’t participated in official events since the 2024 Open, he did participate in the PNC Championship last December together with his son, Charlie. They were defeated in a playoff. This 36-hole scramble allows Woods and other golfers to employ a golf cart, an option available in every PGA Tour Champions competition.
Woods competed in all four major tournaments of 2024, finishing 60th at the Masters and missing the cut in the other three. It became apparent that his primary obstacle was the physical exertion of traversing the courses on foot. This challenge arose from a 2021 car accident that necessitated urgent surgery to correct several fractures in his tibia and fibula.
In the subsequent three years, Woods participated in eight major tournaments, making the cut twice (2022 Masters, 2024 Masters), withdrawing from two, and missing the cut in four.
Aiding Woods’ potential participation on the PGA Tour Champions is the shorter playing format. The tournaments consist of 54 holes rather than 72. With one less round and reduced lower-body stress because of the use of a golf cart, Woods might be able to seriously contend in PGA Tour Championships when he chooses to participate between major tournaments.
“In all candor, considering the recent surgery, I simply hope Tiger recovers fully and can resume playing golf,” Brady added.
Although Woods won’t be playing, he announced on social media his intention to attend all matches involving his Jupiter Links Golf Club in the TGL’s second season. The simulator league’s season begins at the close of December, with Jupiter Links’ inaugural match scheduled for January 13, 2026.
