Tiger Woods is still not ruling out playing the Masters at Augusta National this year, despite his ongoing recovery from back surgery and lack of a confirmed
return date, keeping interest high around a potential comeback to major championship golf in early April.
When asked directly whether the Masters was no longer an option, Woods replied with a firm no, signalling that entry at Augusta National remains possible even though competitive plans stay uncertain and medical progress continues to shape any schedule.
Woods spoke about his situation at the Genesis Invitational in California, where Woods is serving as tournament host, explaining that playing again remains the target while also stressing that the process after his latest back operation is slow and demanding.
The 15-time major champion turned 50 in December and underwent surgery in October to replace a disc in the back, the most recent in a long sequence of operations and injuries that have kept Woods sidelined from elite competition for more than 18 months.
Woods has very strong links with Augusta, having collected five Masters titles there, including a breakthrough victory in 1997 at age 21 that launched a dominant spell in men’s golf and reshaped expectations around major championship performance.
That 1997 Masters win was Woods’ first major, while the 2019 Masters stayed his latest, when Woods became the second-oldest champion in tournament history and ended an 11-year gap between major victories after years of physical setbacks and form issues.
Discussing rehabilitation work, Woods said progress has moved from short-game drills into full-swing practice, yet the reaction of the body after surgery remains the main obstacle, especially with a replaced disc that still needs time to adapt under pressure.
It's just sore. It takes time, he said. [Will Zalatoris] went through it, and it took him a while to come back. I'm a little bit older than [him]. It's probably going to take me a little bit longer.
It has been challenging, said Woods. My body has been through a lot. Each and every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get it to a level that I can play at the highest level.
A champions legacy. A hosts responsibility. The role of The Player Host. pic.twitter.com/Tifw76GhcpThe Genesis Invitational (@thegenesisinv) February 16, 2026
The age milestone also places Woods in the group eligible for the Champions Tour, and Woods acknowledged that this alternative circuit could change practical options, especially regarding physical demands and how many competitive rounds might be realistic across a season.
I have entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart, Woodsaid. That's something that, as I said, I won't do out here on this tour because I don't believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that's certainly an opportunity.
For now, Woods continues rehabilitation while hosting duties at the Genesis Invitational keep Woods visible on the PGA Tour, and any Masters appearance at Augusta National will depend on whether practice progress, post-surgery soreness and overall fitness align in time for early April.
