Tiger Woods running out of options to make Masters | Sports News

Tiger Woods has just one alternative left to make his PGA Tour Champions debut and get some apply in earlier than the Masters.

Woods is nearing a comeback after accidents sidelined him for all of 2025. The 15-time main champion hasn’t performed competitively for the reason that 2024 Open Championship, having undergone surgical procedures final 12 months to restore a ruptured Achilles tendon and a bulging disk.

However, Woods has acquired medical clearance to play again, and he is hinted at probably collaborating in the Masters, which begins at Augusta National on April 9. It comes after a manhunt for a killer gunman pressured a Players Championship delay as a suspect fled.

Having turned 50 in December, Woods is now eligible to compete on the PGA Tour’s senior circuit, and he is expressed his intention to accomplish that when his health permits.

After a extended absence, it has been instructed that Woods would ideally take part in a warm-up occasion on the PGA Tour Champions earlier than the Masters, slightly than leaping straight back into aggressive motion at Augusta National after a prolonged break.

However, Woods has missed the deadline to commit to subsequent week’s Cologuard Classic, leaving the Hoag Classic – beginning on March 27 – as the one remaining Champions Tour occasion he might take part in earlier than the Masters.

In idea, Woods might play in a single of the three remaining PGA Tour occasions earlier than the primary main of the 12 months – the Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Texas Valero Open – with a sponsor’s exemption.

There’s additionally a risk he might take part in subsequent week’s TGL playoffs, along with his Jupiter Links staff set to face Boston Common on Wednesday. The rosters for the matchup stay undisclosed, and Woods may gain some aggressive expertise by enjoying within the elimination-style simulator league contest.

However, competing in a senior match seems to be the best preparation given Woods’ state of affairs. Not solely would he return to aggressive motion, however he would additionally benefit from utilizing a cart, minimizing the bodily pressure on a physique nonetheless coping with the lasting impression of a critical car accident in 2021.

Woods thrilled his supporters final month when he confirmed the chance of competing on the Masters. Speaking to CBS at The Genesis Invitational, he stated: “I know I’ll be there. We’re going to open up The Patch [golf course], and Trev Immelman and I are going to be part of a great dinner.”

When questioned in regards to the likelihood of him teeing off, Woods responded: “There is.” During a press convention forward of the match he hosts at Riviera Country Club, Woods elaborated on his bodily situation.

“The Achilles was not an issue. I can’t dunk a basketball anymore, so don’t have to worry about that,” he quipped. “As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time. Will Zalatoris went through it, and it took him a whilst to come back. I’m a little bit older than Willy Z.

“It’s most likely going to take me a little bit longer. My physique has been by way of a lot. It’s only one of these issues the place it is every day, I keep making an attempt, I keep progressing, I keep engaged on it, making an attempt to get stronger, making an attempt to get more endurance on this physique and making an attempt to get it at a degree at which I can play on the highest degree again.”