'The answer is yes...' PGA Tour Champions boss on Tiger Woods debut preparation

PGA Tour Champions boss Miller Brady claims the circuit is ready for Tiger Woods' arrival should it happen in 2026. 

Woods, 49, will become eligible to join the senior tour next season as he turns 50 years old on 30 December.

As it stands, Woods' return to competition is up in the air after he confirmed the seventh back surgery of his career earlier this month.

Woods informed the golf world he had undergone lumbar replacement surgery in his L4/5 Lumbar spine in New York, just days after the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Prior to undergoing back surgery, the 15-time major champion was already still recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in March.

Several medical experts have told us at GolfMagic that Woods is unlikely going to be able to return to the game for at least several months - with a potential first tournament back for him The Masters in April 2026. 

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• Tiger Woods shares surprise update during recovery

Whether Woods will even want to tee it up on the over 50s circuit next season remains to be seen - but PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady has told Golf Channel the circuit is ready for his arrival should it happen. 

In fact, preparations for Woods' potential appearance have been in the works all season. 

"The answer is yes, we’re ready. We’re well prepared," Miller told Golf Channel.

"We’ve done some white boarding over the past year in preparation for Tiger turning 50, and if and when he plays, our tournaments will be prepared."

Miller further claims that security, tournament staff and extra concession stands are all in place should Woods give a green light to competition. 

While Miller and his team are excitedly awaiting the prospect of Woods joining the PGA Tour Champions in 2026, just seeing him back healthy and playing again is all they care about right now. 

"To be honest with you, given the last surgery, I just hope that Tiger gets back on his feet and is able to play golf again," concluded Brady. 

Woods' pending starts on the PGA Tour Champions would provide a welcome boost for the circuit.

Despite another record prize purse on the line for its 2026 season, the Tour would experience vastly improved eyeballs on their events if Woods did decide to make a few appearances. 

The Champions Tour is watched by around 80,000 people on average on NBC, as opposed to 3 million average viewers for PGA Tour events on CBS/NBC. 

LIV Golf events have been averaging around 175,000 on FOX/FS1/FS2 in 2025, but that does not include viewership through apps. 

Woods' involvement in either PGA Tour or PGA Tour Champions events in 2026 will significantly receive a boost, just as the majors do when Woods is in town. 

Should Woods indeed get involved with the PGA Tour Champions and make it a long-term deal, then you can guarantee a host of sponsors will come forward to sign up for title sponsorships in 2027. 

One possible lure for Woods to compete on the over 50s circuit is that he will get the chance to ride a golf cart - should he wish.

But many analysts - including ourselves here at GolfMagic - consider there's little chance Woods will want any advantage over his competition. 

We consider Woods will potentially have the 155th Open on his radar as a possible date for retirement at his favourite Old Course at St Andrews in 2027. 

Jack Nicklaus also bowed out there in 2005. 

Tiger Woods encouraged to play on PGA Tour Champions

Woods was earlier this season strongly encouraged to come and play on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026 by his former arch-rival Ernie Els, who did not hold back in his assessment. 

That's despite the 15-time major champion having been limited to just eight major starts since his 2021 car crash, of which he has only managed to complete all 72 holes just twice. 

"I've said [to Woods], please come play," Els said in August, two months before Woods confirmed his latest back surgery. 

"And I think it can only be beneficial to him. He will get himself in golf shape. You can ride a cart without any shame and if there was one guy that should be able to drive a cart, it's him. And he can get his a-- back in shape."

Els even tried to tempt Woods: "Beat us again... if you can."

The PGA Tour Champions released its 2026 schedule earlier this week, which our Ben Smith took a closer look at which events might catch Woods' attention. 

There will be two new tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions, including a record $69 million prize pot split across 25 events. 

Woods has this week fallen to a career-low of 2,124th in the world rankings. 

There is a danger he will fall out of the OWGR altogether in 2026, something we took a closer look at last week. 

Earlier today, Woods' Sun Day Red apparel company launched a '92 Collection, throwing it all the way back to his first PGA Tour event at Riviera. 

That honoured the start of his career - but how will it end for Woods? 

Perhaps on the PGA Tour Champions? We'll have to wait and see...