Tiger Woods’ surprising one-word response to talk of 2026 Masters appearance

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Tiger Woods isn’t ruling out a return to Augusta.

The 15-time major champion spoke with reporters Tuesday at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, where he was asked about his recovery timeline after undergoing surgeries for a disc replacement and ruptured Achilles in 2025.

Woods, who hosts the Signature Event in LA’s Pacific Palisades, said he didn’t have a target set for a return — but didn’t shut down the idea of making an appearance at The Masters in April.

Asked whether the first major championship of the season was “off the table,” Woods shot it straight.

“No,” he said with a smirk.

Woods, 50, last competed at the 2024 British Open. He also took part in the Masters that year and finished 60th at 16-over par.

He played in the inaugural season of TGL [Tomorrow’s Golf League], a technology-based golf league formed alongside Rory McIlroy, before rupturing his Achilles last February.


Tiger Woods Masters 2019
Tiger Woods celebrates after winning The Masters in 2019. REUTERS

Woods has won the Masters five times, second in history behind Jack Nicklaus’ six.

In one of the greatest comebacks in all of sports, Woods famously rebounded from a laundry list of personal setbacks and injuries to reclaim the iconic green jacket in 2019.

But after hitting the half-century mark in December, Woods has certainly felt his age as he attempts to recover from even more surgeries — including the seventh procedure on his lower back, alone.

“I’m trying,” Woods said regarding his return, admitting that he’s considered using a cart on the Champions Tour. “It has been challenging. I’ve entered a new decade. That number has sunk in.”


Tiger Woods spoke to the press on Feb. 17, 2026.
Tiger Woods spoke to the press on Feb. 17, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Still, Woods has built a career on defying the odds, and time will tell if he can do it again.

The Masters gets underway on April 9.

McIlroy enters this year’s tournament as the defending champion after capturing a career grand slam last spring.

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