With only a month remaining before The Masters, Tiger Woods has indicated that he is not yet prepared to make his return to the PGA Tour. Despite a full schedule ahead, Woods shared his struggles in getting back to golf after the loss of his mother last month, highlighting how it has affected his preparation and mindset.
Tiger Woods: a quiet return to Golf
On Tuesday, Woods participated in the final match of the season for Jupiter Links GC in the TGL, a virtual golf league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy and other investors. While Woods was involved in the event, he revealed that his focus has not been on traditional golf due to personal reasons.
This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven't really gotten into it, Woods said.
After his team lost to Atlanta Drive GC, failing to qualify for the TGL playoffs, Woods opened up about the emotional weight he’s been carrying.
My heart is not into practicing right now. I have so many other things to do with the Tour. Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I’ll start looking at the schedule.
Tiger Woods’ absence from the PGA Tour
As the PGA Tour season intensifies, with events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The PLAYERS Championship fast approaching, Woods' absence from these tournaments seems likely.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational kicks off this week at Bay Hill Golf Course, a venue where Woods has an impressive record, including eight victories in 18 appearances, including a four-year streak of dominance between 2000 and 2003. Despite his historic success at the event, Woods confirmed he would not be competing.
When will Tiger Woods play next?
Given Woods’ limited practice and the emotional toll of his mother’s passing, it seems unlikely that he will participate in The PLAYERS Championship next week. Three more tournaments — the Valspar Championship, the Texas Children's Houston Open, and the Valero Texas Open — remain before The Masters in April.
However, Woods has played the Valspar only once (2018) and the Texas Open just once (1998). He has never participated in the Houston event.
Injury update: Tiger Woods' physical condition
Back in December, Woods addressed his physical condition after undergoing back surgery in September. He had microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine to relieve nerve impingement and alleviate the pain and spasms that had been plaguing him.
At the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods admitted he was not yet "sharp enough" to compete at the highest level.
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, he shared.
Woods mentioned feeling stronger and more flexible, but acknowledged there is still a long road ahead to reach the necessary level of fitness to compete at the PGA Tour’s elite level.
