Tiger Woods hints at 2026 Masters return, but he should skip it

Genesis Invitational tournament host Tiger Woods. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Tiger Woods hints at 2026 Masters return, but he may want to consider skipping tournament

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 6:12 PM ET

Tiger Woods is trying to make yet another comeback. Instead, he should hang up his trademark red shirt.

Woods spoke Tuesday at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. He's still recovering from a back issue and ruptured Achilles. However, the 50-year-old golfer hinted he may play in the 2026 Masters Tournament, scheduled for April 9-12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Tiger Woods discusses potential Masters return

"No," Woods said when asked if he had ruled out playing in the Masters.

He then added that his age and back injury could still prevent him from doing so.

"I'm trying. Put it that way," Woods said (h/t Doug Padilla of Field Level Media). "The disc replacement has been one thing. It's been a challenge to — I've had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it's challenging.

"And now, I 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. That's something that, as I said, I won't do out here on (in PGA Tour events) because I don't believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that's certainly [an] opportunity."

cc: @TheMasters pic.twitter.com/4QN6P11KCU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2026

Instead of carting around Augusta National Golf Club, Woods should enjoy the Masters as a spectator. He should also consider retiring.

Why Tiger Woods shouldn't play in Masters or any other tournaments

The only reason for Woods to keep playing at this point in his career is to break Jack Nicklaus' record for major championship wins (18). With 15 mins, he needs four more to surpass the "Golden Bear." However, he'd be lucky to win just one more major.

Woods' last PGA Tour win was at the Zozo Championship in October 2019. He won the Masters in April that same year. Since then, he has been plagued by injuries and poor play. Woods last played in The Open Championship in July 2024, where he missed the cut.

Unsurprisingly, oddsmakers believe he has little chance of winning his sixth green jacket. As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists his Masters odds at +20000.

If Woods weren't involved in the sport, his desire to keep playing would be understandable. But he now serves as the chair of the new Future Competitions Committee. This gives him a say in what the PGA Tour should do during the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Woods should prioritize that instead of returning to the course. His golfing career is well past the back nine.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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