Tiger Woods has not said when he will play competitive golf again as he recovers from his second hip surgery in the past 13 months.
But if it takes place on the PGA Tour Champions, the over-50 circuit will be ready.
Woods will celebrate his 50th birthday on Dec. 30, but PGA Tour Champions Chairman Miller Brady told Golf Channel this week that preparations are already underway in case he chooses to play on the senior circuit.
“Yes, I’m ready. I’m fully prepared,” Brady said. “We’ve been whiteboarding for the past year in preparation for Tiger turning 50, and if he plays, our tournament will be ready.
“It’s going to be a lot more. Security, buses, portals, concessions, all of that will be considered in the planning.”
But whether Woods will play at all is one of the biggest questions in the sport.
He has had seven lower back surgeries since April 2014, the most recent of which occurred earlier this month to replace a disc in his lower back that was causing pain and mobility issues. At the time, he didn’t say how long he would be away from golf.
He also suffered major injuries to his lower body, shattering his right leg and ankle in a car accident in February 2021 and tearing his left Achilles tendon earlier this year.
“Honestly, considering his last surgery, I just hope Tiger gets back on his feet and can play golf again,” Brady told Golf Channel.
Woods has not played in a tournament since losing in the playoffs at last year’s PNC Championship.
Advantages of the PGA Tour Champions include that most events are 54 holes and players are allowed to use carts.
