Tournament sparks speculation over Tiger Woods return

Tiger Woods might return to competitive action sooner than we anticipated.

The fifteen-time major champion vowed to play once a month in 2024 after serving seven months on the sidelines through injury.

Following subtalar fusion surgery after the Masters last year, Woods outlined a “best scenario” for this year that would see him compete a dozen times.

It was an ambitious target, given that the 48-year-old has been seen only 15 times since the start of the 2019/20 PGA Tour season.

And appearances at the Genesis Invitational in February, the Masters in April and the PGA Championship in May have provided a light schedule so far.

However, the 82-time PGA Tour winner could be about to balance his average for the year, by returning to a tournament he has won five times.

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Woods will line up at the US Open from June 13-16 on the No.2 course at Pinehurst, but speculation has started over a possible tune up ahead of the third men’s major of the year.

That’s because the Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club, sent fans into frenzy on social media last night.

Now, neither Woods nor tournament organisers have confirmed the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s commitment between June 6 and 9, but a hint on X (formerly Twitter), was enough to light the fuse.

We’ll let you decide for yourself, but the tweet in mention – which included an open eyes emoji – certainly caused a stir.

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— the Memorial (@MemorialGolf) May 23, 2024

The Wells Fargo Championship replied with the same emoji, whilst curious fans posted “TIGER PLEASE”, “No way… please be Tiger” and “TW”.

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— Wells Fargo Golf (@WellsFargoGolf) May 23, 2024

The tournament was first played in 1976 and is now a ‘Signature Event’ in the PGA Tour calendar, which means Woods is not eligible to compete without an exemption.

He also used it as a returning stage in 2020 after missing three months between the Genesis Invitational and the Memorial Tournament.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.