Tiger Woods raises major doubts over next tournament start

It appears increasingly unlikely that Tiger Woods will play before the Masters.

The expectation had been that Woods was going to tee it up on the PGA Tour before his return to Augusta National next month after indicating his desire to play more competitive rounds.

But the 15-time major champion missed the Genesis Invitational in February following the death of his mother. And after competing in the final event of his TGL season on Tuesday night, Woods cast further doubt over a possible appearance in next week’s Players Championship.

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Woods fleetingly impressed with his ball-striking in his Jupiter Links side’s defeat to Atalanta Drive at TGL, but afterwards pointed towards his lack of practice.

“This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven’t really gotten into it,” Woods said.

“My heart is really not into practising right now. I’ve had so many other things to do with the Tour and trying to do other things.

“Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I’ll start looking at the schedule.”

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Woods was already a doubt for the Players, but the chances of the 49-year-old committing to the Sawgrass showpiece before Friday’s deadline now appear even more remote.

He has not played in a tournament since the Open at Royal Troon last July and was forced to undergo back surgery for a sixth time in September.

There was an appearance at the Seminole Pro-Member on Monday alongside his caddie, Lance Bennett, and his amateur playing partner Seth Waugh, the ex PGA of America chief executive.

Woods and Waugh tied for 27th in the net division of the ultra-exclusive event with a better ball 67.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.