Golf Legend Back in Action

After a nearly two-year absence from competitive play due to injuries, Tiger Woods is set to return to the golf course Tuesday evening, participating in the TGL Finals for his team, Jupiter Links. The event takes place just 16 days before the start of the prestigious Masters Tournament.

The announcement came late Monday, confirming Woods’ participation in Match 2 of the best-of-three finals series at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Jupiter Links lost the first match on Monday night and needs a win Tuesday to force a deciding match.

Road to Recovery and Augusta

Woods will be joined by teammates Tom Kim and Max Homa as they face Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala, and Tommy Fleetwood. This return to competition comes after a challenging period for the 15-time major champion, marked by multiple surgeries, and setbacks.

Woods hasn’t played a competitive round on the PGA Tour since the 2024 Open Championship. He did participate in the unofficial PNC Championship in December 2024 alongside his son, Charlie.

The 50-year-old has been open about the difficulties he’s faced in his recovery.

I’ve been trying to come back. But it just hasn’t worked out that way,” Woods said last week. I’ve had a bad run of injuries last year. I think it’s been a year and a few days since I blew out my Achilles. And so then I’ve had two back operations. So it’s been a little rough go.”

He underwent back surgery in October 2025 to repair a collapsed lumbar disc, his seventh back surgery since 2014. Prior to that, he had fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in March 2025.

Masters Speculation

The timing of Woods’ return has naturally fueled speculation about his potential participation in the 2026 Masters, a tournament he has won five times. While he hasn’t officially confirmed his entry, his bio on the Masters website reportedly indicated a planned 27th start at Augusta National.

However, Woods has cautioned against expecting too much too soon.

Disc replacement is not a lot of fun,” Woods added. The body doesn’t quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn’t quite bounce back. So I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it’s hard to just to move around.”

What is TGL?

The TGL is a tech-infused golf league co-created by Woods, combining traditional golf with simulated play. It features PGA players in a unique and innovative format.

FAQ

Q: When is the Masters Tournament in 2026?

The Masters Tournament begins two weeks from Thursday, March 24, 2026.

Q: What injuries has Tiger Woods been dealing with?

Tiger Woods has been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and two back surgeries.

Q: What is the TGL?

The TGL is a novel golf league that combines traditional golf with elements of simulated golf.