Tiger Woods has place held at championship event as return rumours gather pace

Tiger Woods has a spot waiting for him at the PNC Championship should he decide he is ready to return to competitive golf.

The 15-time major champion and his 17-year-old son Charlie Woods are being kept a place at the 2026 scramble event, with tournament organisers prepared to welcome Team Woods if the 50-year-old feels physically capable of competing.

According to an unauthorised source familiar with the tournament's plans who spoke to Golfweek, organisers are "holding a place for Woods and son Charlie should he decide he is able to play."

The possibility of Woods returning at the PNC should come as little surprise given his recent history at the event.

Tiger and Charlie have competed together five times since making their debut in 2020, although they were absent from last year's tournament. 

Despite regularly challenging at the top of the leaderboard, Team Woods are still searching for their first PNC Championship victory.

Their record makes for impressive reading.

Team Woods PNC Past Results

Their most recent appearance in 2024 was their closest yet.

The Woods duo finished on 28-under par before losing in a playoff to Bernhard Langer and his son Jason.

Charlie made history that week when making his first ever hole-in-one during the tournament. 

A return this December would give Woods another opportunity to chase that elusive PNC title.

The 2026 PNC Championship takes place from December 19-20 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes, with only three of the 20 teams confirmed so far.

Langer, Brooks Koepka, and defending champion Matt Kuchar are among the early entrants.

Team Woods remains unconfirmed at this stage, but there are growing signs that he is at least preparing for a potential return.

He was recently seen hitting balls at the TGR Junior Invitational presented by TaylorMade at Pebble Beach, prompting fresh speculation about his competitive future.

Woods was also seen clipping balls away during a recent clinic at Liberty National. 

Billy Horschel, who was also involved at the event, was particularly encouraged by what he saw.

"He looked the best I've seen him in some time," Horschel told Golfweek.

Horschel also made it clear that he believes Woods remains determined to play again.

"You know he wants to. It's in his DNA. It's in his blood," he said.

Woods has also recently been pictured looking relaxed and happy alongside girlfriend Vanessa Trump, who announced last week that she is now cancer-free.

There have also been suggestions that Woods intends to take a more active role in TGL next season. 

Kevin Kisner recently indicated that Woods is planning to play a lot more, potentially offering another clue about his competitive ambitions.

Woods has not played a competitive Tour event since missing the cut at The Open at Troon in July 2024, with injuries and further off-course setbacks continuing to disrupt his comeback plans.

The PNC, however, could provide the perfect setting for a return.

The event is played as a scramble, allowing Woods and Charlie to share the workload, while Woods can also use a golf cart. That would give him an opportunity to test his body and game without the same physical demands of a conventional 72-hole Tour event.

There is also the added incentive of competing alongside Charlie once again.

Woods has regularly spoken about how much he enjoys playing with his son, who is now committed to Florida State, and their performances at the PNC have become one of the most eagerly anticipated appearances on the golf calendar.

For now, Woods still has to decide whether his body is ready.

But if he gives the green light, the PNC appears ready to give Team Woods another shot.

And after five appearances, two runner-up finishes and no title, Woods and Charlie will have unfinished business to settle.