Tiger Woods is pumping the brakes on his comeback plans, striking a more cautious tone than he did just a year ago.
The golf legend isn’t even playing in his own tournament this week. He’s still at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, but only to talk to the press, not to compete.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Tiger Woods
378
199
$120,999,166
It’s a far cry from last December, when Woods confidently suggested he could play one tournament every month in 2024. That plan fell apart pretty quickly.
His body had other ideas. Woods only managed to play in five events this year, and he had to withdraw early from four of them. By September, he was back on the operating table for another back surgery.
“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year,” Woods said Tuesday. “It was quite painful throughout the end of the year.”
The good news? His latest surgery seems to have helped with the leg pain he was experiencing. But don’t expect to see him back on the course anytime soon.
“I’m just trying to rehab and still get stronger and better,” he said. He wouldn’t commit to any tournament schedule for next year.
It’s a tough spot for the 15-time major champion. He needs practice to stay competitive, but his body won’t let him put in the work he needs.
Woods hasn’t played in his own Hero World Challenge since finishing 18th last year. He admitted he’s not “tournament sharp” enough to compete with the world’s best right now.
There’s still a chance we might see him at the PNC Championship next week, where he’s played with his son Charlie for the past three years, though he didn’t confirm either way.
Looking ahead, Sports Illustrated reports Woods hopes to play in his TGL team’s debut on January 14. But even that’s not certain – Woods said it would be “very difficult” if he had to play today.
When asked about his return to competitive golf, Woods kept it simple: “When I’m ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.”
