Tiger Woods has confirmed he plans on returning to the golf course as soon as he is fit to do so.
The 15-time major champion has also shared a response on Ryder Cup captaincy rumours for the first time publicly.
Tiger Woods Confirms Golf Return After Lengthy Injury Absence
Arguably the greatest golfer to ever grace the fairways has confirmed his plans to return to playing as soon as he is fit and given the all-clear.
Tiger Woods has revealed plans for his return after facing a long injury battle dating back to the summer of 2024. Woods last competed on the PGA Tour at The Open Championship last year, and hasn’t been seen on the golf course since.
Woods remains the most popular golfer in the world by some distance, still topping the list of the most followed golfers on Instagram despite not having competed in almost 18-months.
The 15-time major champion turns 50 later this month, and has confirmed that he plans on returning to the PGA Tour as soon as he is physically fit enough to do so.
🚨#NEW — Tiger says he has started chipping and putting as of last week and has begun to ramp it up in the gym.
— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) December 2, 2025
Although Woods’ return is still a long way away, the 82-time PGA Tour winner has confirmed that he has recently begun ramping up his training in the gym as well as practicing his chipping and putting again.
This is a huge step forward for the 49-year-old, who will have been on the sidelines for almost two years by the time he eventually makes his highly-anticipated return to professional golf next year.
There has also been talk of Woods potentially playing on the Champions Tour once he turns 50, which he neither confirmed nor denied. That being said, Woods did reveal he plans to ‘play 25 events on both tours’, hinting that he will compete on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour where possible.
Woods’ latest health update following his disc replacement surgery in October is a positive one. Now, golf fans can get excited to see the great man back in action on the golf course once again. Perhaps even as soon as next year.
"I just got cleared last week to chip and putt."
Tiger Woods expands on his rehab process and mindset after disc replacement surgery in October.@TGRLiveEvents https://t.co/paTF2O9I9x pic.twitter.com/UKkjFIMSn2
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 2, 2025
Tiger Woods Issues Ryder Cup Captaincy Response
As well as confirming his plans to return to action, Tiger Woods also issued a straight-forward response when asked about whether he has been approached about a possible Ryder Cup captaincy in 2027 or beyond.
After Luke Donald’s Europeans beat Team USA 15-13 in their own back yard, American golf fans have been calling for Woods to take the reins and lead the US team at Adare Manor in 2027.
Woods holds the record for the most dominant PGA Tour seasons with his accolades in 2009, consisting of three major wins and nine PGA Tour triumphs. The 49-year-old is a proven winner, hence why US golf fans want him as their Ryder Cup captain in the future.
However, much to the disappointment of stars and stripes fans, it looks like Woods won’t lead Team USA at Adare Manor in Ireland at the 46th Ryder Cup in 2027.
When questioned on whether he has been approached by US Ryder Cup hierarchy regarding a potential captaincy, the 82-time PGA Tour winner revealed he hasn’t heard anything about it:
“No one’s asked me about it,” confirmed Woods.
Tiger Woods’ net worth may well be over $1billion, but his love for the sport of golf remains as fierce as ever, despite his riches. Although his legacy is secured and there is no need for Woods to ever play golf again financially, his sheer grit and determination to compete with the world’s best again is admirable.
🚨🏌🏻♂️🐅 Tiger Woods presser recap
▪️Cleared last week to chip and putt
▪️Won't play PNC Championship
▪️No clear timeline for return
▪️Wont say when/if he will play on Champ Tour
▪️Says it’s been a “tough year.”
▪️Hopeful to play in TGL but not until closer to the end of the… pic.twitter.com/GUh9Cgz1P7— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 2, 2025
