The greatest golfer of all time continues to struggle with his health recovery following the surgery he underwent in October 2025 to replace a lumbar disc.
For Tiger Woods, there are moments when it is very difficult to move; the pain is intense. With this in mind, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine that he could be present at the Masters, which is set to begin on April 9.
The competition will be fiercer than ever because his rivals are extremely strong, and Woods, not feeling at full capacity, would be giving unnecessary advantages to others who, without hesitation, would easily leave him behind.
The golfer’s last appearance came at The Open Championship in 2024 on the PGA Tour. Injuries have not let go of his body and continue to cause him significant discomfort.
Will Tiger Woods play the Masters?
Fans became very excited upon seeing his plane at the Augusta airport, but unfortunately for his supporters, things do not appear to be unfolding as they had hoped.
This past Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Tiger provided an update on his health status and made clear where things stand regarding his potential participation in the tournament.
Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disc replacement is not a lot of fun.”… “I’ve had a lot of procedures prior to that, so the body doesn’t quite heal like it did when I was 24. It doesn’t bounce back the same way. There are days when I can pretty much do anything and others when it’s hard just to move around.
Woods told reporters.
Recovery from the type of surgery Tiger underwent is lengthy. A clear example is Will Zalatoris, who at 29 went through a similar process, although he had two discs replaced. His rehabilitation was long, but he has returned in 2026. That is the same outcome Woods hopes to achieve.
I’ve been trying to come back, but it just hasn’t worked out that way. I had a tough run with injuries last year,” he said. “It’s been a rough stretch.
Tiger added.
Although he has not officially withdrawn from the tournament, everything seems to indicate that he may head in that direction. However, there is still time for him to determine whether he feels in better shape to take part in the event and allow fans to witness his return.
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