Tiger Woods has cast doubt on his chances of playing in the Masters next month, admitting his recovery from a lumbar disc replacement has been inconsistent. The five-time Masters champion, 50, has not competed since the 2024 Open Championship and underwent surgery for a ruptured Achilles in March 2024, followed by his seventh back operation later that year.
Speaking after the TGL semi-finals, Woods said: 'I've been working on it. Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disc replacement is not a lot of fun. The body doesn't quite heal like it was when I was 24.' He added that while the Achilles is 'not an issue', the back remains sore and limits his mobility.
Woods confirmed he can still hit full golf shots, though not always well, and reiterated his aim to return to the highest level. However, he stopped short of setting a specific goal for Augusta, which begins on April 9. He last played there in 2024, finishing 60th.
On the Ryder Cup captaincy, Woods revealed he has been asked for input but has not decided whether to take the role for 2025 at Adare Manor. He cited his commitments to the PGA Tour boards as a factor, saying: 'I'm trying to figure out if I can do it justice with my time.'
