Tiger Woods indicated a possibility of competing at the 2026 Masters Tournament during a broadcast at the Genesis Invitational. The 50-year-old golfer is recovering from lumbar disc replacement surgery and has not played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship. He confirmed attendance at Augusta National but left his participation open.
Tiger Woods, speaking from the CBS broadcast booth at the Genesis Invitational on February 21, 2026, addressed questions about his potential involvement in the upcoming Masters Tournament. When asked by Trevor Immelman if there was a chance he could play, Woods replied, "There is," with a smile. He confirmed he would be at Augusta National in seven weeks for events including opening The Patch and a dinner with past champions, but did not specify if he would tee off in the tournament.
Woods, who turned 50 in December 2025, is rehabilitating from a lumbar disc replacement surgery at L4/5 performed in October 2025, his seventh back procedure. He also recovered from a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. "I've had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it's challenging," Woods said. He reported progressing to hitting full shots but noted he is not yet at a competitive level. "Each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance," he added during a pre-tournament press conference.
Regarding preparation, Woods was noncommittal about playing a lead-up event. "I don't know whether it's regular [PGA] Tour, senior Tour or member-guest," he stated. His last competitive appearance was the 2024 Open Championship, following withdrawals and missed cuts in 2024 events, including the Genesis Invitational due to illness.
The discussion occurred at Riviera Country Club, where Woods hosts the Genesis Invitational. He also reflected on Rory McIlroy's 2025 Masters victory, which completed McIlroy's career Grand Slam, and praised the Northern Irishman's resilience. McIlroy enters 2026 as defending champion, alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Woods' potential return draws attention given his history, including his 2019 Masters win post-spinal fusion.
Woods expressed commitment to shaping the PGA Tour's future as chair of the Future Competitions Committee, aiming to enhance opportunities for upcoming generations.
