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LOS ANGELES – Golf legend Tiger Woods isn’t ruling out a return to the Masters in just under two months, even as his immediate schedule seems to be dominated by everything but golf.
Woods recently offered a candid, albeit uncertain, outlook on his future playing schedule, citing his seventh back surgery – a disk replacement in October – as the primary reason for his continued absence from the greens. Speaking at the Genesis Invitational on Tuesday, Woods shared that he’s been plenty busy, primarily dedicating his time to reshaping the PGA Tour schedule.
“I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing in my prime,” Woods quipped. “It doesn’t compare to what we’ve done in the boardroom.”
These extensive “boardroom hours” are also a major factor in his decision regarding the U.S. captaincy for the 2027 Ryder Cup matches in Ireland. Woods previously declined the role two years ago, feeling he couldn’t commit the necessary time.
The Masters, which tees off on April 9, is a significant focus this time of year. Woods, a five-time champion, last played the event in 2024, making a record 24th consecutive cut. When asked if playing the Masters was “off the table,” Woods simply responded, “No.”
As for his general golf future – he turned 50 at the end of last year, making him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions – Woods stated he’s still recovering from his October surgery and has no set timetable for a return. He also has yet to participate in the indoor TGL matches.
“Well, I’m trying – put it that way,” he said, revealing he can hit full shots, though “not every day and not very well.”
Last year marked the first time in his career that Woods didn’t compete in a single tournament. While a ruptured Achilles tendon, surgically repaired in March 2025, is no longer an issue, he noted his lower back remains sore. At his age, he admitted, “It’s probably going to take me a little bit longer.”
“My body has been through a lot,” Woods reflected. “Each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again.”
His primary focus, however, is currently off the course. As a board member of the PGA Tour and the commercial PGA Tour Enterprises, Woods chairs the “Future Competition Committee.” This committee is working to develop a new model aimed at PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp’s objective of fewer, more impactful tournaments for top players.
One certainty is that a new model likely won’t be ready by 2027. The committee has agreed on a significant start to the season – potentially the week before or after the Super Bowl – with plans to move major events to larger markets and establish golf as a must-see summer sport.
Another players-only meeting was scheduled for Tuesday at Riviera. Rolapp is expected to unveil some details at The Players Championship in March, with further clarity anticipated in the summer.
Among the ideas being considered is moving some prime California stops, such as Riviera and Torrey Pines, to August as part of the PGA Tour’s postseason.
“We’re looking at things like that, looking to go to bigger markets later in the year for the playoffs. Just trying to make our competitive model better, and how do we do that?” Woods explained, confirming that moving the Genesis Invitational to August “certainly is on the table.”
Throughout these discussions, Woods emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of golf stars.
“We’re trying to create opportunities for that turnover … to get more youth out here because eventually they’re going to take over the game,” Woods stated. “So trying to create that opportunity, trying to create the right competitive model and the environment to foster that, that’s been the greater challenge of it all.”
The Ryder Cup captaincy also remains in a “wait-and-see” status.
The PGA of America notably waited longer than ever before making its choice for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black, specifically holding out for Woods’ decision.
It appears he hasn’t made much progress.
“They have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” Woods said. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour. That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team – Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup – if I can do it justice with my time.”
Woods’ involvement with Riviera began in 2017 when his TGR Venture started managing the event. He now serves as the official host, mirroring the roles of Jack Nicklaus at the Memorial and the late Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill. These three signature events are the only ones on the tour with a 36-hole cut.
Genesis recently announced its renewal as the title sponsor at Riviera, despite questions about a potential move to late summer. Genesis also sponsors the Scottish Open in July. Another scheduling puzzle arises with how Riviera could be held in August 2028, just a month after the Olympics.