Tiger Woods hasn’t played in a competitive golf tournament since the 2024 British Open due to various injuries, but that doesn’t mean the golf world isn’t trying to pinpoint his next appearance. In fact, there’s a good chance the next competitive tournament Woods plays will be on the PGA Tour Champions rather than the PGA Tour, where he’s reigned since his youth.
Woods turns 50 on Dec. 30, making him eligible for the senior circuit, but that’s the reality of no longer being a league leader or a leader.
“Yes, we’re ready. We’re fully prepared,” PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady told Golf Channel. “We’ve been whiteboarding for the past year in preparation for Tiger turning 50, and if he plays, our tournament will be ready.
“We’re going to need a lot more things like security, buses, portals, concessions, etc. All of that will be taken into account as we plan.”
Woods in October 7th back surgery Because the lumbar intervertebral disc has collapsed. No timeline for his return was mentioned as the procedure took place while the 15-time major champion was already recovering from an injury. ruptured Achilles tendon in left footwhich happened before the 2025 Masters.
Woods hasn’t played in an official tournament since the 2024 British Open, but he competed with his son Charlie at last December’s PNC Championship. Both lost in the playoffs. The 36-hole scramble allows Woods and other players to use golf carts. This is a feature allowed at each PGA Tour Champions tournament.
Playing in all four majors in 2024, Woods finished 60th at the Masters and missed out on the other three, but it was clear that his biggest struggle was physically walking the course. The difficulty stemmed from a 2021 car accident in which Woods required emergency surgery to repair multiple fractures in his tibia and fibula.
Over the next three years, Woods played in eight majors, played twice on the weekend (2022 Masters, 2024 Masters), withdrew from two events and missed the cut four times.
Further aiding Tiger’s ability to compete on the PGA Tour Champions is the shortened playing format. The tournament will be played over 54 holes instead of 72. With one less round to play and less strain on his lower body from using a golf cart, Woods could be able to make a serious run at the PGA Tour Championship if he tees it up between majors.
“Honestly, considering his last surgery, I just hope Tiger gets back on his feet and can play golf again,” Brady continued.
Woods will not play, but posted on social media that he plans to attend every match during the second TGL season at Jupiter Links Golf Club. The Simulator League campaign begins at the end of December, with Jupiter Lynx’s first game set for January 13, 2026.
