2 hours ago
7
Golf fans received a hint at Tiger Woods' long-awaited return with an announcement on Monday.
The 15-time major winner stunned the golf world with another health setback in March when he announced that he had ruptured his left Achilles and subsequently underwent surgery.
The latest health update sparked fears for the golf legend's career on the course, with some even claiming it could spell the end for Woods.
But those concerns were put to rest on Monday when it was confirmed that Woods would be returning to competition - or, at least, a form of it.
TGL, the technology-led golf league formed by Woods and Rory McIlroy, released the schedule and teams for its second season and the five-time Masters win is slated to tee it up in front of the SoFi Stadium.
Woods was confirmed to be a returning member of Jupiter Links GC, the team he captains, which will make their season debut on January 13 against New York Golf Club.
Tiger Woods is expected to compete in TGL's second season, beginning in January
Fans will also want to circle March 1 in their diaries as that is when Woods will face off against his co-founder with McIlroy's Boston Common takes on Jupiter Links at SoFi Center in Florida.
Meanwhile, TGL's second season will officially kick off on December 28 when the reigning champions, Atlanta Drive GC, face New York Golf Club in a rematch of last year's final.
Jupiter Links' season opener could mark the first time fans will see Woods in action since the team's final match of TGL's inaugural season on March 4. Woods and co failed to make it to the indoor golf league's playoffs.
He could, however, grace the fairways with his presence slightly earlier should he and son Charlie, 16, choose to continue their tradition of competing at the PNC Championship, a family exhibition, in December.
Away from the innovative tech-infused, Woods has not played at Tour-level since The Open Championship in July 2024, with back surgery accounting for much of his lay-off before he withdrew from the Genesis Invitational in February following the death of his mother.
Woods played with Charlie at the PNC Championship last December, returning from back surgery he underwent last September.
The procedure was his sixth back operation in 10 years. The surgery was formally referred to as 'microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine.'
Woods, an 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, suffered extensive injuries from a horror, single-vehicle car crash in 2021 that broke his right leg and ankle and required emergency surgery.
The 15-time major winner has been seen at his son Charlie's tournaments in recent months
The tech-infused golf league, which was founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy, is set to return
He later had another ankle surgery to address lingering issues in 2023, weeks after withdrawing from that year's edition of The Masters.
Then, earlier this year, Woods was was preparing for his latest comeback at home in Florida when he felt a ‘sharp pain’ in his left heel.
He revealed on social media that he had undergone surgery to repair his Achilles and that he was expected to make a full recovery.
Fans have seen glimpses of Woods in recent months, albeit as a spectator rather than a competitor.
Amid his romance with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., Woods has been spotted supporting his son Charlie, 16, at various junior tournaments, including the US Junior Amateur Championship.
