More hints are starting to emerge that suggest Tiger Woods will soon return to competitive golf.
In the same week TGL announced Woods will be a member of the Jupiter Links GC roster for the 2027 season, a prominent voice in golf indicated Woods has plans to play extensively in TGL and participate in two familiar tournaments before the end of 2026.
Golfer Kevin Kisner, who serves as NBC Sports' lead golf analyst, said on Barstool's Fore Play podcast that he is no longer part of Jupiter Links GC this season, in part, because he was told by Woods' longtime friend and business partner, "Tiger wanted to play a full schedule." The simulator-based golf league also added Keith Mitchell to the 2027 roster.
"Rob (McNamara), Tiger's guy, he texted me a long
text last week, I think, just telling me what they did on their decisions, how they were moving around and what players are going to do," Kisner said on the episode released Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Why Tiger Woods could return at Hero World Challenge, PNC Championship
Kisner noted he expects Woods to also play in the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship in December, with eyes on playing at the 2027 Masters. If Woods competes at the Hero World Challenge (Dec. 3-6), it would mark his first professional tournament appearance since the 2024 Open Championship.
The PNC Championship, slated for Dec. 19-20 in Orlando, Florida, is the PGA Tour's annual father-son event that Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods have made an annual stop in recent years. They did not play in last year's event as Tiger Woods recovered from back surgery.
"He can't have any more setbacks injury-wise, but the way he was swinging and moving on the range, the guy loves to compete," Kisner said in the podcast. "Come back, get your feet wet at the Hero, play with Charlie at the father-son, play some TGL, get ready for Augusta."
The Hero World Challenge, which is hosted by Woods, announced 17 of the 20 participants for this year's event earlier this week. There are three spots being left open for players who receive a tournament exemption. Woods would theoretically get one of them if he were to play. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas are among the notable golfers who have already committed to the field.
Woods will be joined this year on Jupiter Links GC by teammates Tom Kim, Akshay Bhatia, Max Homa and Keith Mitchell as TGL expands to five-man rosters and adds a new expansion team, Motor City Golf Club, for the 2027 season. The league did not announce the schedule for its third season yet. Last season began on Dec. 28.
What happened to Tiger Woods after DUI arrest?
Woods agreed to a lesser charge as part of a plea deal in a Martin County, Florida courthouse last month related to the DUI charge he faced following a rollover car crash in March. The 50-year-old pleaded no contest to the reduced charges of willful wanton reckless driving and refusal to submit to lawful test and had his driver's license suspended for five years as part of the plea agreement.
Woods announced four days after the crash that he was "stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health." Since returning from a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland in May, Woods has made several brief public appearances, mostly in conjunction with the PGA Tour, and has not publicly discussed his competitive golf future in detail.
Before the incident, Woods had been working his way back from another surgery with an eye toward playing in The Masters. He underwent a disc replacement surgery on his lumbar spine in October 2025. It was the seventh back surgery of his career, and the second in about a year's time after he underwent micro decompression surgery in September 2024. Woods also needed surgery when he ruptured his Achilles in March 2025 while training and practicing at home.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Tiger Woods gearing up for The Masters? Kevin Kisner gives comeback clues
