Tiger Woods: Masters comeback in 2026 not ruled out

On the eve of the Genesis Invitational at the legendary Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods was the center of attention. In a high-profile press conference, the host not only spoke about his role as Tour architect, but also gave a deep insight into his fight back to physical fitness. The most important news for all fans: the 2026 Masters is still Tiger Woods' big goal.

The "Chairman" in the boardroom: Tiger Woods is shaping the future

While Tiger Woods used to spend his nights on the putting green, today Zoom calls and strategy meetings are on the agenda. As Chairman of the Future Competition Committee, he is driving forward the radical transformation of the PGA Tour. "I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing in my prime. It doesn't even come close to what we did in the boardroom," admitted a visibly committed Tiger Woods.

The plans are ambitious: From 2027, the face of the Tour could change fundamentally. Fewer Tour cards are set to intensify competition, and iconic tournaments such as the Genesis Invitational could move to August to shine as play-off events in perfect Californian weather. For Tiger Woods, nothing less than the "best product in the world" is at stake.

Here you can find the LIVE leaderboard of the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational.

100 years of Traditions: From the L.A. Open to the Genesis Invitational

The fact that this year's event is a very special one is due to a historic milestone: the tournament is celebrating its 100th anniversary. What began in 1926 as the "Los Angeles Open" has developed over a century into one of the most prestigious events on the calendar. Tiger Woods emphasized the magic of the place: "For me, as a kid from SoCal who grew up here, Riviera is an iconic place." The fact that the tournament has now been in the region for 100 years and has found its home at Riviera Country Club for decades adds tremendous historical depth to this year's week.

The Masters question: a smile is worth a thousand words

Despite the administrative burden, sporting hope remains the central theme. After Tiger Woods missed all of 2025 due to serious back surgery and a torn Achilles tendon, the tension in the press room was palpable. When asked whether a start at the Masters in April was out of the question, Tiger Woods replied with a dry "no" and a mischievous smile that immediately went around the world.

Tiger Woods is already hitting full balls again. Even though he admits that consistency is still lacking, his will is unbroken: "I keep trying every day, making progress and working on getting stronger and getting more stamina in this body."

Tiger Woods and the physical challenges at 50

Since turning 50 last December, Tiger Woods is now officially eligible to play for the PGA Tour Champions. This new phase of life brings with it an interesting option: the use of a golf cart. While Tiger Woods continues to strictly reject a cart on the regular Tour ("because I don't believe in it"), he sees it as a real opportunity to remain competitive on the Senior Tour.

However, the road back after disc surgery in October 2025 remains arduous. "My body has been through a lot," he explained with regard to the lengthy recovery, which he compared to that of Will Zalatoris - only with the admission that it takes a little longer at his age.

Ryder Cup 2027: The captain's decision is still pending

The demand for the Ryder Cup captaincy for 2027 has not gone unanswered either. The PGA of America has asked Tiger Woods, but a final decision has not yet been made. His hesitation is purely pragmatic: Woods wants to ensure that he can fulfill the responsibility in terms of time. In addition to his offices on two Tour boards, he has to weigh up whether he can serve Team USA at an "honorable level".

The Tiger Woods phenomenon remains present

Even if Tiger Woods does not pick up a club himself this week at his tournament in Riviera, his influence is omnipresent. Whether as a strategic mind behind the scenes or as a tireless fighter for another chapter in Augusta - the golf world is eagerly awaiting the moment when the red shirt can be seen on the Fairway again.