Tiger Woods says he's feeling better and hinted he could return to professional golf as soon as the Hero World Challenge in December.
Woods was asked about his comeback plans during a public appearance on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and the 15-time major winner gave a positive update going into the limited-field event he hosts annually in the Bahamas in less than a month.
Woods, 50, has been away from competition since The Open Championship in July 2024 due to a variety of injuries and personal setbacks. His comeback attempt ahead of last year's Masters was derailed by a DUI arrest and rehab stint stemming from a car crash in March that led to a plea deal and the suspension of his driver's license.
"I'm feeling better. No doubt about that. I've been training
quite a bit. I will be at the Hero," Woods said through laughter in brief comments to SiriusXM's PGA Tour Radio. "I'm there either way, so I'll see you there."
The video posted to social media did not show any other questions asked of Woods, who could either be a player-host at the tournament or simply serve as host for the event.
When could Tiger Woods return to golf?
This year's Hero World Challenge is set for Dec. 3-6, and tournament organizers left three spots in the 20-golfer field open for exemptions. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas are among the notable golfers who have already committed to play.
There have been signs in recent weeks that Woods is gearing up for a return to the course.
Tiger Woods says he's "feeling better" and has been training quite a bit.
— SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) November 10, 2026
"I will be at Hero [World Challenge]. I'm there either way, so I'll see you there!"
Could we see Tiger on the course at the Hero in less than a month? pic.twitter.com/4ojh3hW9Rv
Woods was announced last month as a member of Jupiter Links Golf Club ahead of the TGL's 2027 season, which is expected to begin at the end of December. NBC golf analyst Kevin Kisner said on a podcast he was no longer part of the team this season, in part, because he was told by Rob McNamara, Woods' longtime friend and business partner, "Tiger wanted to play a full schedule."
Kisner said 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 in April.
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. Golfweek previously reported that PNC Championship organizers are holding a spot in next month's field in case Woods is healthy enough to compete.
Tiger Woods injury update
Woods announced in October 2025 that he underwent a disc replacement surgery on his lumbar spine. It was the seventh back surgery of his career, and the second in about a year's time after he underwent microdecompression surgery in September 2024. Woods also needed surgery when he ruptured his Achilles in March 2025 while training and practicing at home.
Before the March 2026 incident that led to his arrest and decision to go to rehab, Woods had been working his way back with an eye toward playing in the Masters in 2026. He played in the TGL Finals on March 24 earlier this year.
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. He 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 much detail.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods drops strongest hint yet that golf comeback could happen soon
