Tiger Woods comeback gains momentum after new PGA Tour 2K appearance

Tiger Woods has made a surprise appearance in a brand-new commercial for PGA Tour 2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2 — even as he continues to work his way back from the latest round of surgeries in a career defined by miraculous comebacks. 

Scroll down this page to watch Woods in commercial mode for PGA Tour 2K on the Switch 2...

Woods, 49, is still recovering from his seventh back surgery, a lumbar disc replacement in the L4/5 region performed last month to address ongoing lower-back symptoms. That operation came after he was already on the mend from a March procedure to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

The expectation has long been that Woods may not return competitively until 2026, but optimism has quietly grown. 

A report last week revealed he has been testing new prototype Bridgestone balls and is reportedly seeing an uptick in ball speed — a detail that has reignited whispers that we could see him sooner than expected.

Woods has already ruled himself out of his annual Hero World Challenge at Albany in two weeks’ time, where Scottie Scheffler will look to become the first player in tournament history to win three consecutive titles. 

The PNC Championship — a 36-hole scramble he typically plays alongside his son Charlie Woods — remains a possible late-December opportunity, though Team Woods is not currently in the field.

Medical experts continue to urge patience, with April’s Masters shaping up as the most realistic target for a competitive return. After consecutive major procedures and a long rehabilitation runway, the sensible timeline points to Augusta.

But this is Tiger Woods — a man forever chasing history. His next PGA Tour victory would mark a record-setting 83rd, moving him clear of Sam Snead after years of sharing the all-time lead at 82.

Woods approaches his 50th birthday on 30 December 2025, which will make him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2026. Whether he chooses to tee it up with his old rivals in a cart-permitted environment is still unknown, but the option now looms large.

Earlier this week, friend and former PGA Tour pro Notah Begay suggested Woods may target flatter courses if he returns in 2026 — mentioning Colonial and RBC Heritage at Hilton Head as potential additions to a reduced schedule. 

Begay says Woods can still hit all the shots he wants, but walking 72 holes remains the biggest barrier.

Tiger appears in new PGA Tour 2K commercial

For now, Woods is popping up in a different arena — gaming — starring in a comedic new advert promoting PGA Tour 2K25 on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

"Alright, par-3, 172 [yards], over the water, slightly into the wind, I'm thinking a hard 8..." Woods says, as he enters the video commercial with a caddie peering over his shoulder.

"That's not what I had in mind," said the caddie.

Woods then reveals that he’s actually playing PGA Tour 2K on the Switch 2.

PGA Tour 2K’s social team shared the clip with the caption: "Your round starts wherever you are. With #PGATOUR2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2, you can take your MyCAREER on the go, challenge friends anytime, and so much more."

Watch the video commercial below:

What you need to know about PGA Tour 2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2

2K has confirmed that PGA TOUR 2K25 is being developed in partnership with Unity for Nintendo Switch 2, with the new hardware supporting the full suite of game modes found on other platforms. 

That includes MyCAREER, Course Designer, cross-platform Societies, and both online and offline play.

Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

Full Feature Parity

Switch 2 players get the same experience as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC users, with offline play on the go and online modes when connected.

EvoSwing & Perfect Swing

• EvoSwing adds a more realistic swing model for both Swing Stick and 3-Click inputs, adapting to player rhythm.
• Perfect Swing offers an accessible mode that ensures perfect strike contact — ideal for new players or anyone wanting a more relaxed experience.

Major Championships Debut

For the first time in franchise history, players can compete in three real Majors:

• 2025 PGA Championship (Quail Hollow)
• 125th US Open (Oakmont)
• 153rd Open Championship (Royal Portrush)

Licensed Courses & Topgolf

28 licensed venues at launch, including:

• TPC Scottsdale
• Pebble Beach
• TPC Sawgrass
• The Old Course at St Andrews
• Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco

Topgolf also returns with new quests.

Play as the Pros

Control 11 featured pros at launch, including: Tiger Woods, Lydia Ko, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tony Finau, Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Brooke Henderson and more — plus Chris McDonald in a tongue-in-cheek cameo.

Deep MyPLAYER Customisation

Includes:

• Expanded creation tools
• Updated Attributes and Skill Trees
• New Equipment Progression
• Apparel from adidas, FootJoy, Malbon Golf
• Clubs from Callaway, COBRA, Mizuno, Titleist

Enhanced MyCAREER Mode

Players can simulate rounds dynamically, tackle new challenges, complete training, and progress at their own pace.

Seasons & Clubhouse Pass

Seasons return with more rewards, daily/weekly content drops, ranked leaderboard resets and 100-tier Clubhouse Pass tracks (34 free tiers available). Premium options unlock every reward tier.

Multiplayer

Stroke Play, Match Play, Scramble, local and online. New Ranked Tours and cross-platform Societies expand competitive options.

Course Designer

More tools, surfaces, and camera systems for creators to build and showcase courses faster than ever.

Tiger Woods may still be some way from competitive golf, but his presence — even in video-game form — is a reminder that the sport’s biggest icon remains very much part of the landscape. 

Whether it’s Augusta, the PNC, or even a surprise earlier return, Woods’ comeback storyline continues to build.