Tiger Woods pays tribute to Anthony Kim as he delivers Masters update

Tiger Woods says a return to action at the 2026 Masters is not off the table. 

The 50-year-old has been sidelined since missing the cut at The Open in July 2024.

He had surgery in October last year after "experiencing pain and lack of mobility" in his back.

It was his seventh back procedure of the past decade and in recent months he has lamented the slow recovery process.

But ahead of this week's Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour, tournament host Woods revealed that he is hitting full shots again. 

He is not ruling out a sensational return to Augusta National this April. 

And for the first time, acknowledged that he is likely to use a cart when competing on the PGA Tour Champions. 

Woods did not specify when he is targeting a return. 

"Well, the disc replacement has been one thing that's been a challenge," said Woods. 

"I've had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it's challenging. 

"And I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart. 

"So that's something that, as I said, I won't do out here on this Tour because I don't believe in it, but on the Champions Tour, that's certainly a certain opportunity"

His back procedure came seven months after he ruptured his left Achilles last March. 

The 15-time major champion said that is no longer troubling him. 

"I can't dunk a basketball anymore, so I don't have to worry about that," Woods said.  

"As far as the disc replacement, it's just sore. It takes time. Willie Z [Will Zalatoris] went through it. 

"It took him a while to come back. I'm a little bit older than Willie Z, so it's probably going to take me a little bit longer. 

"My body's been through a lot. And so it's just one of those things where it's each and every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, I keep working on it and trying to kind of get stronger, try and get more endurance in this body and try and get it at a level in which I can play at the highest level again."

When asked by one reporter if this year's Masters is "off the table", Woods replied: "No". 

Ryder Cup captaincy

Woods also confirmed he has been asked by the PGA of America be the United States Ryder Cup captain in 2027. 

The biennial matches head to Adare Manor in Ireland next and it was always widely assumed Woods would succeed Keegan Bradley. 

Woods said he hasn't made his decision yet. 

"I'm trying to figure out what we're trying to do with our Tour," Woods said, alluding to the fact that he serves as the chairman of a recently enacted "future competitions committee" charged with re-shaping the PGA Tour. 

"That's been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team, our Team USA and our players and everyone that's going to be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time."

Tiger Woods pays tribute to Anthony Kim

Woods also paid tribute to Anthony Kim's recent victory. 

Kim completed a sensational comeback to the sport last week with a victory at LIV Golf Adelaide.

The 40-year-old overturned a five-shot deficit in the final round defeat to defeat Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

It was Kim's first professional win after a 12-year absence from the sport in which he battled drug addiction and mental health problems. 

"I mean, this kid hit it so good," Woods said of Kim. 

"He was on an unbelievable run when he won at Charlotte, and we played against each other at the Congressional. 

"He played unbelievable at the 2008 Ryder Cup. He had so much natural talent. He could take any shot he wanted. 

"And then to see him struggle in life and didn't really want to play golf, didn't want to be part of golf, and for him to come all the way back and for him to win and to be as devoted as he is to his family, it's a story in which you just have to wrap your heart around it because of the struggles. 

"I mean, we all relate to struggles. We all struggle in life, and the longer it goes, the more times you've had tough times. 

"But for him to fight through it and for Anthony to get to where he's gotten to from the low that he was in is something that, as I said, you have to just wrap your heart around it."