Tiger Woods hints at Masters, Ryder Cup in injury update

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Tiger Woods has hinted at an appearance at The Masters later this year, despite significant concerns over his future in golf, U.K.’s Daily Mail reported.

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Woods, who recently turned 50, underwent his seventh back surgery in October and is also recovering from a torn Achilles from last March.

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Both injuries sparked fears over if he would ever be able to return to golf at all but on Tuesday, the 15-time major winner dropped a huge hint over what the future holds.

I’m trying, says Woods

Woods wasn’t specific about a timeline for his return, but when asked about a return to the Masters was “off the table,” he said, “No.”

“I’m trying, put it that way,’ he said. “The disc replacement has been one thing. I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging.

“And now I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart.

“That’s something that, as I said, I won’t do out here on this tour because I don’t believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that’s certainly that opportunity.”

Ryder Cup also possible

Woods, who last officially played in 2024 at the Open Championship, also said he looking at taking the role of U.S. captain at the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2027.

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“Yeah, they have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” Woods said. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour.

“That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team, our Team USA, and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time.”

Tiger vs. Rory?

The potential return of Woods is already creating Masters buzz ahead of the spring. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy heads into Augusta, Ga. as the defending champ with his first green jacket. Last year’s Masters win made McIlroy just the sixth player to win all four golf majors — which Woods has also done.

But for now, Woods is taking it one day at a time.

“My body has been through a lot,” he said. “Each and every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get it to a level that I can play at the highest level.”

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