Tiger Woods: One year after final round, champion ramps up training
The 50-year-old golfer says he is feeling better and will attend the Hero World Challenge in December, with a possible competitive return under consideration.
By Jack Weber ·
Nineteen months have passed since Tiger Woods last competed in a major championship, yet the 15-time major winner says he is preparing to return to the course. Woods spoke to SiriusXM on November 10, confirming he has resumed rigorous training and feels physically improved. He stated, "I'm feeling better. No doubt about that."
The golfer’s last appearance before a crowd occurred during the TGL finals in March. In that event, his Jupiter Links Golf Club lost the championship match to the Los Angeles Golf Club. His previous tournament action dates to the 2024 Open at Royal Troon, where he missed the cut. Since then, his schedule has been disrupted by personal and professional events.
Woods initially appeared on track to play in the 2026 Masters following his TGL participation. However, the timeline shifted rapidly. Three days after the final TGL match, the 50-year-old was arrested in Jupiter Island, Florida. He was booked for suspicion of a DUI after a single-vehicle rollover crash. Less than one week before the Masters began, Woods announced he would step away from golf indefinitely to seek treatment outside the United States.
The next major event on Woods’ calendar is the Hero World Challenge, a 20-man invitational he hosts annually in The Bahamas. The tournament begins on December 3. While Woods has not played in the event since the 2023 edition, when he finished 18th out of 20 players, he confirmed his presence. "I will be at Hero [World Challenge]. I'm there either way [as host], so I'll see you there," he said.
If Woods does not compete at the Hero, two other events offer near-term opportunities. The PNC Championship, a 36-hole father-son scramble, runs from December 17 to December 20. Woods has previously used a golf cart in this format, a provision that may accommodate his current physical status. The event is played with his son, Charlie.
A third option involves the start of the third TGL season. The simulator golf league kicks off on December 27 with a double header featuring Jupiter Links. The games will be held at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a location close to Woods’ home. This schedule allows for a potential return to competitive activity within 48 days of the current date.
