Tiger Woods Looks to Make Comeback at the Masters

Next month, the prestigious Masters will kick off the major golf season once again. If all goes well—no injuries, hopefully—we might see Tiger Woods on the iconic grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, aiming for his 16th major championship.

Back in February, Woods expressed he hadn’t dismissed the idea of participating in this year’s Masters. However, his career has faced significant hurdles, primarily due to a series of injuries and surgeries. Over the past few years, he’s dealt with numerous back issues and, just last fall, underwent his seventh hip surgery.

Months have gone by since that operation, but he still experiences challenges—some days are simply tougher than others. “You have good days, you have bad days. Changing discs is not very fun,” he mentioned, reflecting on his current state.

Woods’ troubles began back in 2014 when he first started experiencing back pain. The surgery he had in October was the second hip-related procedure he faced within about a year. To add to that, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon earlier this year, compounding the difficulties.

It seems like recovery takes a toll, not just physically but mentally too. Fellow golfer Will Zalatoris, who had disc replacement surgery in 2025, weighed in on the challenges of returning to form post-surgery. “It takes time,” he shared, noting that Woods’ body isn’t healing as quickly as it might have in his younger days.

Woods himself acknowledged the tough nature of his situation, saying, “I’m trying to come back, but it didn’t work out.” A five-time champion at the Masters, he openly reflected on the injuries he faced last year, including two back surgeries, which made things particularly tough.

Though he qualified for the 2025 Masters, unfortunately, he missed the next three majors after that. It seems like there’s a long road ahead, filled with both hope and uncertainty.