Tiger Woods Opens Up On Comeback Plans And The Future Of The PGA Tour

Tiger Woods at the Hero World Challenge — Tiger Woods spoke to CBS' Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman during the third round of the Genesis Invitational

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods isn’t playing in this year’s Genesis Invitational, with the 15-time Major winner still recovering from the back surgery he underwent in October.

Despite that, he is still very much a part of the Riviera Country Club tournament as its host, and he made his way to the CBS broadcast booth during the third round, where he discussed a range of issues with Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman.

One of the big questions on everyone’s lips is just when we might see Woods in action again, with the 50-year-old’s last competitive appearance, a handful of TGL starts aside, coming at the 2024 Open.

As well as his latest surgery, Woods has also had to deal with recovery from surgery on his Achilles since the Royal Troon Major, as well as the death of his mother Kultida, which have all contributed to his long absence.

However, there are hints he may not be far away from a return. In his pre-tournament press conference, Woods was asked if an appearance at April’s Masters was off the table, and raised hopes by responding with a simple, “No.”

Tiger Woods talks to the media prior to the Genesis Invitational — Tiger Woods didn't rule out a return at The Masters in his pre-tournament press conference

With that tantalising prospect still alive, it was little wonder that the subject came up during his conversation with Nantz and Immelman.

First, Woods confirmed he would be in the area to open a new layout he has designed at Augusta Municipal Golf Course, renamed The Patch, but also that he would be at Augusta National for the annual Champions Dinner.

He said: "I know I'll be there. We're going to open up The Patch and Trevor and I are going to be part of a great dinner.”

He remained noncommittal on his chances of teeing it up at Augusta National, but didn’t rule it out before hinting he could even play an event beforehand, saying: “I don't know that. I don't know. Whether it's regular tour, senior tour or member guest, I don't know."

Tiger Woods and his caddie at The Open — Tiger Woods hasn't played competitively since the 2024 Open at Royal Troon

It isn’t just Woods’ playing ambitions that are on his mind. He also chairs the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee, which was established last August to undertake a review of the current competitive model of the circuit and help shape its future.

Woods seemed optimistic a conclusion could be reached in time for the 2027 season, and said: “Yeah, we're trying to figure out the competitive model. What is the best model for all of the Tour?

"Whether it's our partners, the fans, the players, everyone who's actually involved in the PGA Tour? What is the best model we can go on a forward end?

"That's the job of the FCC, and we're trying to diligently, each and every day, trying to figure that out, and emails, group text, calls, late in the night, ideas, everything is free-flow. So we're trying to narrow that up, and we have another meeting on Tuesday with it."

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has suggested that the new PGA Tour will be focused on fewer, but more important, events to increase competitiveness, while Harris English has hinted that a post-Super Bowl start to the season could be in the offing.

Brian Rolapp talks to the press — Brian Rolapp has suggested a streamlined PGA Tour schedule could be introduced

Woods wouldn’t confirm the finer details, but said: “Nothing’s set in stone where, as I said, we're free flowing, trying to create the best model going forward, and all of our, some point, all of our media partners understand that

"We've had talks with every sponsor of every event. From the president, from the CEOs to the CFOs, CEOs.

"So we've had all those conversations and people are willing to move around the schedule and do what's best, and we want to have, as I said, the best environment, the best tour, and keep elevating our tour to be even better than what it is right now."

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Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.

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