Tiger Woods says Masters is not off the table as 15-time major champion continues recovery
Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods refused to rule out playing at this year's Masters as he continues his recovery from disc replacement; watch coverage from the Woods-hosted Genesis Invitational, live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf
Tuesday 17 February 2026 19:32, UK
Tiger Woods still has hopes of competing in the Masters in April as the 15-time major champion continues his latest comeback from injury.
The 50-year-old has not competed in an official PGA Tour event since July 2024 when he missed the cut at The Open, and has now managed just 11 competitive starts since his car crash in 2021.
Woods missed the entire 2025 season having ruptured his Achilles in March before undergoing disc replacement in October.
Speaking ahead of Genesis Invitational, which he'll host, Woods was asked if the Masters was 'off the table'.
"No," he told reporters.
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Woods added that he did not currently have a specific target for his return to competitive action, but nodded to potential involvement on the Champions Tour.
"I'm trying, put it that way," he explained. "The disc replacement has been one thing, it's been a challenge. I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in.
"Thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart. I won't do that out here on this tour because I don't believe in it but on the Champions Tour there's certainly an opportunity."
Woods noted that he has allowed his body time to fully recover from the effects of his disc replacement, which would add to a long line of surgeries across recent years in his career.
He did, though, explain he is now able to hit full golf shots, even if they are some way off his iconic best.
"The Achilles is not an issue," he said. "I can't dunk a basketball anymore.
"As far as the disc replacement it's just sore and it takes time.
"My body has been through a lot. It's one of those things, each and every day I keep trying, keep progressing and working on it. I'm trying to get this body at a level where I can play the highest level again.
"Yeah I'm able to (hit full shots), not well every day, but I can hit them."
Woods has won the Masters five times in his storied career, his most recent outing at Augusta coming in 2024 as he finished in 60th.
He, meanwhile, admitted he is contemplating whether or not he will be able to accept the US Ryder Cup captaincy at Adare Manor in 2027.
"They have asked me for my input on it, and I haven't made my decision yet," said Woods. "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.
"Serving on two boards and what I'm doing for the PGA Tour, I'm trying to figure out if I can actually do this and serve the people that are involved and serve them at an honourable level."
What's next?
The PGA Tour stays in California for the Genesis Invitational, another Signature Event, with Tiger Woods' foundation hosting the event at Riviera Country Club and both Scheffler and McIlroy due to feature.
Ludvig Åberg returns as defending champion, with early coverage live on Thursday from 3.15pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from 9pm. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
