Golf legend Tiger Woods is set to return to competition on the final night of the TGL indoor golf league, though uncertainty still surrounds his participation in the upcoming The Masters.
The 15-time major champion will tee off for Jupiter Links Golf Club on Tuesday night in what could be a one-off appearance or possibly a sign of a broader return to competitive golf with the Masters just two weeks away.
Woods recently admitted his comeback has been difficult due to injuries.
“I’ve been trying to come back. But it just hasn’t worked out that way,” Woods said, noting that he suffered a ruptured Achilles last year and has since undergone two back operations.
The injuries have kept him out of regular competition and slowed his return to outdoor golf.
Woods has not played a competitive round on the PGA Tour since the 2024 Open Championship and has also been absent from TGL competition for more than a year. His most recent surgery was a back procedure in October, part of a long list of operations that have defined the later years of his career.
“Disc replacement is not a lot of fun,” Woods said. “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.”
Despite his TGL return, the golf world is focused on whether Woods will play at Augusta National. The Masters remains the only major tournament where he has made a cut since 2020, and he is a five-time champion there.
Outdoor golf particularly the hilly terrain at Augusta National is expected to pose a significant physical challenge for Woods’ repaired back and Achilles if he decides to compete.
For now, his immediate focus is the TGL finale. Jupiter Links Golf Club trails L.A. Golf Club in the best-of-three championship series. Woods will replace Kevin Kisner in the lineup and join teammates Max Homa and Tom Kim, while L.A. Golf Club features Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala.
Woods’ return is expected to boost viewership for the TGL finale, with the match scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. If Jupiter Links wins, a winner-take-all final match will follow later in the evening making it a must-watch event for golf fans.
