Tiger Woods Admits He’s Not Ready for PGA Tour Return: “Long Way to Go”
It’s been a tough road for Tiger Woods, and on Tuesday, the 15-time major champion made it clear that his journey back to competitive golf is far from over. Speaking at a news conference in the Bahamas ahead of the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts but is not participating in, Woods, 48, gave a candid update on his physical condition and his hopes for the future.
“I’m not tournament-sharp yet,” Woods admitted. “No, I’m still not there. And these are 20 of the best players in the world, and I’m not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. When I’m ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.”
For fans hoping to see Woods back on the PGA Tour soon, his words were a sobering reminder of the challenges he continues to face. While the fire to compete still burns within him, Woods acknowledged that his body isn’t bouncing back the way it used to. “As far as the recovery process of going out there and doing it again and again and again and doing it consistently at a high level, for some reason, the body just won’t recover like it used to,” he said. “That’s part of age and part of an athlete’s journey.”
Another Surgery and Lingering Pain
Woods revealed in mid-September that he had undergone what is believed to be his sixth back surgery. The procedure was necessary to address pain that had been radiating down his leg, a condition that worsened over the course of the season. This is in addition to the multiple surgeries he’s had to repair his right foot and leg following a devastating car accident in February 2021.
Reflecting on the past year, Woods said, “I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year. It was quite painful throughout the end of the year, and hence I had another procedure done to alleviate the pain I had going down my leg.”
As for his plans moving forward, Woods was noncommittal. Last year, he expressed a desire to play once a month, but his 2024 season was limited to just five starts. He missed three cuts, withdrew from the Genesis Invitational due to illness, and finished 60th at the Masters, the last among those who made the cut. “What are my commitments going forward? Is it once a month? Yeah, I could say that all over again, but I truly don’t know,” Woods said. “I’m just trying to rehab and still get stronger and better and feel better and really give myself the best chance I can going to next year.”
What’s Next for Tiger?
While Woods didn’t specify a timeline for his return to the PGA Tour, there are a few key events on the horizon. The PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida, where he could play alongside his son Charlie, is just two weeks away. In that event, Woods would be allowed to use a golf cart, which could make participation more feasible. He also hosts the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in February, and the Masters, the first major of the season, is scheduled for April 10-13.
“I’m just progressively trying to test it,” Woods said of his recovery. “Keep making progress, without setting it off. I don’t want to have any setbacks. Just want to keep making progress and give myself the best chance going to next year as possible. I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”
Off the Course: PGA Tour Negotiations
In addition to his physical challenges, Woods has been involved in the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The three parties signed a framework agreement to form an alliance, but the deadline for finalizing the deal expired on December 31, 2023. Talks have continued over the past 11 months, and any potential agreement would need approval from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
“I think all of us who have been a part of this process would have thought it would have happened quicker than this,” Woods said. “Even if it did, we’re still at the regulations of the DOJ saying it’s giving us [assurance] that it will go through. Even if we had gotten a deal done by now, it’s still in the DOJ’s hands.”
Despite the delays, Woods remains optimistic. “We wish we would have had something more concrete and further along than we are right now. But things are very fluid, we’re still working through it, it’s happening daily. From a policy board standpoint or from an enterprise standpoint, things are moving and they’re constructive. But yes, definitely moving.”
Key Takeaways
- Tiger Woods is not physically ready to compete on the PGA Tour and has no set timeline for his return.
- He underwent another back surgery in September to address pain radiating down his leg.
- Woods remains involved in PGA Tour negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
- Upcoming events like the PNC Championship and Genesis Invitational could mark his next appearances, though nothing is confirmed.
For now, fans will have to wait and see if Woods can overcome his physical challenges and make another triumphant return to the sport he has dominated for decades. One thing is certain: the fire to compete still burns brightly within him.
Originally Written by: Mark Schlabach
