Will Tiger Woods play at The Masters 2026?

Tiger Woods continues to edge closer to a competitive return to golf with intrigue surrounding a potential appearance at The Masters this month. As Rory McIlroy bids to defend his title and win another green jacket, Augusta could also feature Woods, a five-time winner at the iconic major championship. Woods last played in a professional tournament in The Open at Royal Troon in 2024, but has since been contending with another back surgery, with his latest treatment in October replacing a disc.

The 50-year-old has also undergone intense rehabilitation following a ruptured Achilles tendon last spring, appearing, but not competing, in the TGL, the indoor golf league he co-founded with McIlroy. And despite a lack of practice, Woods has teased a potential return at The Masters, which begins on 9 April. Here’s what we know about Woods’ condition and when he might feature with a club in his hands on the golf course or indoor simulator: When could Woods play golf again?

Well, it depends on what your definition is. Woods is heavily invested, both financially and emotionally, in the TGL, an indoor golf league founded with McIlroy in 2022. Woods is an owner and player of the Jupiter Links Golf Club, but has so far sat out the 2026 season, maintaining a presence in a supporting capacity, with Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner featuring.

But Woods will be part of the virtual golf league’s play-offs on the evening of Tuesday, 24 March, with the play-offs and the second match in the best-of-three final against Los Angeles Golf Club, which features Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood. Should the Jupiter Links Golf Club win match two, after losing the first match 5-6, they would force a third match on Wednesday 25 March, which Woods would likely also play in. Following match three, Woods would have just over two weeks before the first round of the 2026 Masters on Thursday, 9 April.