Tiger Woods could play golf as early as next month.

The former world No.1 golfer spoke to the sport’s media Tuesday, ahead of the Hero World Challenge, which is a tournament he hosts every year in December at the 7,414-yard, par-72 Albany Golf Course in The Bahamas.

Woods typically competes at the tournament himself but told reporters this week that he’s not yet “tournament sharp.” Elaborating, he said: “These are 20 of the best players in the world and I’m not sharp enough to compete against them at this level.”

Woods confirmed he wouldn’t compete this week in a post on X last month.

When Tiger Woods Could Next Play Golf

Woods could compete in January, 2025

Woods is not competing because of recent physical ailments, including back surgery from which he continues to recover from. He’s had back issues throughout the year, and said Tuesday that “it just continued getting worse” from the start of 2024 onwards.

He said: “I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did. It was quite painful through the end of the year, and thus I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain going down my leg. I’m trying to rehab it … to give myself the best chance I can going into next year.”

Woods is the most famous name in his sport, and one of the most famous in all sports, thanks to his 15 major championship wins, 82 wins on the PGA Tour, and a rarified billionaire status for an athlete.

But his story is also one that cannot be told without mentioning an incident in 2021 that saw him taken to hospital, after he was involved in a car crash, and had to go through surgery to repair fractures in his right leg, together with a broken ankle. He said at the time it was likely he’d struggle to play golf competitively again. Surgeries through the years have alleviated some of the pain, and issues he has while standing, walking, and golfing.

Though he will not compete at this weekend’s Hero World Challenge, there is an off-chance he could play in TGL — a new golf league formed by himself, as well as Rory McIlroy, in partnership with the PGA Tour. TGL is a league that pits teams of three against each other in two-hour matches at a custom-built venue that merges real-world golf with technology with simulation. TGL golf is due to begin January 7.

Woods could also compete in the PNC Championship because that tournament does permit the use of golf carts, which is something that Woods could benefit from, considering the issues he’s had playing four-day tournament golf while constantly on his feet, walking a course. The PNC Championship is even sooner than TGL, as it takes place December 19 to 22 in Orlando, Florida.

Tiger Woods still has the passion to compete and is working to get his body back in shape for next year, he said on Tuesday at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, after another injury curtailed his 2024 season.
Woods has not played since July and he underwent surgery for nerve impingement on his lower back in September, an injury that he said took him by surprise and caused him tremendous pain.

He was widely expected to take one of three exemption spots for the tournament he has hosted since 2000, an unofficial event that features 20 of the world’s top players, but said late last month that he would not compete.

“This year was kind of – I had to toss it away and I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and I didn’t play as much as I needed to going into the major championships and I didn’t play well at them,” said Woods, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship and US Open.

He withdrew from February’s Genesis Invitational after the first round due to illness and in April finished 60th at the Masters, where he claimed his 15th major title five years ago.

“Hopefully next year will be better, I’ll be physically stronger and better. I know the procedure helped and hopefully that I can then build upon that,” he told reporters.

Golf fans react to big Tiger Woods update at Hero World Challenge

Tiger Woods will address the media for the first time since the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July when he rocks up at the Hero World Challenge on Tuesday.

Tiger Woods will deliver his first health update to the media during a press conference at the Hero World Challenge at Albany in the Bahamas on Tuesday.

Woods, who turns 49 on 30 December, will be addressing the media for the first time since he missed the cut at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in Scotland in mid July.

The 15-time major champion then underwent the sixth back surgery of his career shortly after The Open.

Woods has since been sidelined ever since.

He underwent microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve inpingement in the lower back.

The surgery was performed in West Palm Beach and his doctor ‘deemed it to be successful’.

He was hoping to return to competitive action at his annual Hero World Challenge this week but he is still not ready to roll.

Woods made an announcement on 25 November.

“I’m disappointed I will not be able to compete at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week @HeroMotorCorp,” Woods wrote in a statement.

Prior to Woods undergoing back surgery, he was already going through recovery for his ankle and leg.

That was all a result of his horror car crash where he nearly lost his life in Los Angeles in February 2021.

The Hero World Challenge is hosted by Woods and the PGA Tour but since it’s a limited 20-man field event it does not count as an unofficial event on the schedule.

There are Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points available, which certainly ruffles a few feathers over on LIV Golf.

Woods will, however, be in attendance at his own tournament this week where runaway World No.1 Scottie Scheffler defends the title.

Scheffler is a red-hot favourite this week.

Woods’ press conference is set for Tuesday 3 December at 9am local time.

That is 2pm for U.K. fans.

Woods is expected to provide the media with an update of his health and whether or not he might be able to participate in the PNC Championship alongside Charlie Woods just before Christmas.

The former World No.1 played in all four majors in 2024 but he missed the cut in three of them.

His only made cut came at The Masters but he went on to finish dead last in solo 60th of those that made the weekend at Augusta National.

Woods will be able to play on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026 once he turns 50 at the end of 2025.

He needs to win just one more tournament on the PGA Tour to set an outright record for 83 wins.

Woods currently shares the record with late great Sam Snead on 82 wins.

Here’s how golf fans have reacted to news that Woods is holding a press conference on Tuesday: 

Let’s hope it’s positive news

Will TW ever return to greatness?

Just hoping it has addressed the spasms that he was experiencing

Shame he can’t play this week

We haven’t seen a single clip of him swinging a club since his surgery, he can’t be anywhere near close to playing again

Let’s hope he’s in for the PNC

Surely time to retire now

Sadly his career is over

Not a chance he ever wins again

Tiger Woods Was Giving an Average PGA Tour Player Reality Checks, Bizarre Report Reveals a Startling Truth

Golf is among the richest sports in the world providing fans with the conception of every golfer earning 6 figures easily, but is that the reality? While Tiger Woods has proved everything true with his whopping earnings throughout his exceptional career. But that is also due to him winning the highest number of tours in his career, sharing first place with Sam Snead with 82 titles, including 15 majors. But what about other players on the PGA Tour, do they earn enough? This question has been with the fans for a long time now.

PGA Tour players make enough money, but when compared to Tiger Woods, it is something that would shock everyone. PGA Tour players are paid enough, but at times it is seen that players when asked about their earnings have shown disappointment. Andrew Coltart, a former professional, shared the details about some players’ disappointed tone. However, when looking at the top earnings of the players, it has been pretty high. For example, Scottie Scheffler’s 2022 earnings were more than $10 million. Even Jon Rahm topped the list in 2021 with more than $7 million. Talking about the disappointment of players Rory McIlroy said, “anyone that says we’re underpaid ‘needs their head examined.”

As compared to the year’s earnings toppers, Tiger Woods has surpassed everyone in earnings and even gave a reality check to other players about the earning potential of being a PGA Tour player. Now, with the Player Impact Program rewarding players to generate interest in the tour, the earnings have increased multiplefold. Unlike the old times, players are now paid much more than before the program.

Tiger Woods had been playing way before the Player Impact Program; without it, he earned a whopping $12.2 million in 2007. The major contributor to his earnings is PGA Tour wins. He has surpassed every other golfer due to his exceptional performance during the peak of his career. Even after the program, in 2022 Tiger Woods earned $15 million.

According to a social media post shared by Golf Digest, he earned $4,180 per shot in 2008. This is not a regular earning figure per shot, he peaked his earnings in 2008 but on average, he earned more than $1500 per shot (As per the chart of 1996-2017). His great winning career has helped him with a net worth of $1.3 billion. Though, after 2020, he could only earn no more than $100,000. He has still managed to keep the money flowing with endorsement deals. As compared to other golfers his earnings are still way higher.

PGA Tour player earnings compared to Tiger Woods

PGA Tour players’ earnings widely depend upon their performance on the tour. If you look at the list of players earning, it cannot be judged by just the winner’s money. In 2021, the average earnings were $1,485,055. The figure looks healthy but has a shady side as well. If the players are not finishing well in the tournament, they will be getting way less than compared to the toppers list. For reference, Parker McLachlan, in 2021 played nine tournaments but earned only $6,090.

The PGA Tour offers great earnings if the players manage to secure a position in double digits. As per the data shared by Golf Monthly, more than 200 players have earned six figures or above and even 124 players made more than $1 million. The amount that is being offered with each tour or even at the Majors is decent for every player. However, it will depend on the performance. The success and earnings of the player come down to the performance. Yet, as compared to Tiger Woods, it is still unmatched. It would be great to watch if anyone could surpass him. Will there be any player who could match the earnings of Tiger Woods? What do you think about the PGA Tour players earning? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Nicolas Echavarria might have some way to go to follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods but he has at least taken one record off the all-time great. The Colombian underlined his growing potential by winning the ZOZO Championship in Japan on Sunday, holding off Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman.

Echavarria shot 67 in his final round, leaving him on 20 under overall.

The tournament was in the balance before the 30-year-old birdied two of the final three holes, sealing the second tour win of his career. His first came in October last year at the Puerto Rico Open.

But his latest success carries greater significance, least of all because it has earned him an automatic invite for the US Masters in Augusta next April. He’s also now qualified for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow the following month.

“I’m very excited to go to Augusta for the first time. I’ve never been,” he said. “I was waiting to win myself that trip before going, and we’ve done that, so we’re going to be very happy to play the Masters in a couple of months.”

As for bettering Woods, Echavarria added: “It’s incredible to win a tournament that Tiger’s won. This is my second victory, so I just need 80 more victories to catch him. I’m on my way, though.”

Indeed, as well as his 15 major titles, Woods is tied with Sam Snead on 82 PGA Tour wins. He has also triumphed 41 times on the European Tour, putting him third on the all-time list.

In 1997, Tiger Woods famously won his first major championship at the Masters in record-setting fashion. His four-round total of 18 under par resulted in a 12-stroke margin of victory over Tom Kite — a record that still stands to this day.

Given its historical significance, any memorabilia from that Masters is worth a small fortune. In recent years, the “Tiger Slam” irons fetched $5.1 million, and Woods’ Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS sold for almost $400,000.

But what happened to the ball Woods used for his final strokes before signing for a Sunday 69 at Augusta National? According to Warren Stephens, son of then-Augusta National chairman Jackson T. Stephens, Woods’ ball found its way into Warren’s son’s hand, just off the 18th green.

On the latest The Golfer’s Journal Podcast hosted by Tom Coyne, Warren reflected on the momentous day in 1997.

“Dad had the honor of being the chairman when Tiger won his first major and his first Masters,” Warren said. “I was there. It was great. Everybody was so excited because here, you know, everybody knows Tiger Woods, with all this potential.

“My oldest son was 11. He was sitting off of 18 when Tiger walked off. It didn’t make the Sports Illustrated picture, but there was another golf magazine that has — there’s a picture of him and another guy right there when Tiger comes off 18, and actually either Tiger or Fluff put the ball, gave the ball to our son.”

That 11-year-old boy would now be nearing 40. But does he still have the ball?

“I’m not 100 percent sure,” Warren Stephens confessed. “I think we’ve still got it somewhere. It’s probably in our house somewhere.”

If the Stephens family could find the ball, it would likely fetch quite a price. In 2023, a ball Woods gave to 9-year-old fan Julien Nexsen on the 5th hole during the final round of the 1997 Masters sold for $64,164 from auction house Golden Age Auctions. The ball, a Titleist Professional, had the word “Tiger” stamped on it.

“Unless Tiger himself or his caddie Fluff intentionally saved a ball from this historic final round (which we doubt), this may be the only confirmed golf ball from the final round of Tiger Woods’ first major championship victory,” Golden Age Auctions said in the ball’s description online.

But sounds like there’s at least one more ball out there.

As professional golfers continue to express concerns about the PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Tiger Woods has joined the board of directors in a concession to player demands.

The 2024 season was highly anticipated, with the 15-time major champion confirming he would be playing more this year. Fans were excited to see Tiger Woods back in action. However, at his first event of the year, the Genesis Invitational, the 48-year-old succumbed to influenza and withdrew after two rounds. He then teed up at Augusta National and made the cut for a record-breaking 24th consecutive time, though he finished at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Three more starts remained for the PGA Tour star, but he struggled to make an impact. Woods missed the cuts at the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, and The Open and didn’t play again for the rest of the 2024 season. With his body stiffer than before and constant battles with pain, the 48-year-old underwent another back surgery in September to ease his game in the upcoming season. Since then, Woods has been rehabilitating, aiming to return to form and at least make the cut in the events he plays.

When will he play again in 2024? Woods was expected to attend the TW Invitational held at Pebble Beach. However, his friends, Gary Woodland and Max Homa, made appearances at the game day and afterparty, as Woods missed it due to his surgery. The Hero World Challenge is set to begin on November 30, and Woods has never missed it—not even in 2023. Thus, he is expected to tee up in Albany, Bahamas, for the first time since his surgery, as Today’s Golfer reported.

If his rehabilitation process takes longer, however, the 82-time PGA Tour winner may miss the Bahamas event, leaving fans disappointed once more. Over the next two months, the 48-year-old is set to have a packed schedule, likely appearing more than he did in 2024.

What’s the December plan for Tiger Woods?

He has made a total of six appearances at the father-and-son, PNC Championship with his youngest child, Charlie Woods. Last year, the 48-year-old even had his daughter, Sam Woods caddie for him at Ritz Carlton, Florida. Undoubtedly, Woods enjoys teeing up at the PNC Championship and he would probably do it this year as well. If his 2023 schedule is followed, Woods will surely play in the PNC Championship, starting on December 19.

And then a month later, Mr. T will be integrating his brainchild, TGL, in Palm Beach. The simulator league was delayed for 12 months after the venue was destroyed last year. But this time, all the preparations have been completed, and the schedule for Woods’ team, Jupiter Links, is out too. In January, the 48-year-old and his team will tee up against Collin Morikawa’s Los Angeles GC and Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf on January 14th and 27th, respectively.

There will be three more matches between February and March, against the remaining three teams. Also, the PGA Tour gave Woods a ‘Lifetime Achievement Exemption’ for all its signature events, which indicates that apart from the majors, Tiger Woods will have more tournaments he could play. The question is if he will be able to.