Tiger Woods gives honest Masters update after getting destroyed and missing out on $4.5m

Mar 25, 2026 - 10:30

Tiger Woods made his long-awaited return to competitive golf on Tuesday evening.

The 15-time major champion underwent back surgery last October after ‘experiencing pain and lack of mobility’.

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club plays a shot during the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. — Woods’ career has been plagued by injuries but he returned to the course on Tuesday in TGL

He has held a non-playing role with his Jupiter Links Golf Club throughout 2026, but on Monday decided he would play on the final night of the TGL season, replacing teammate Kevin Kisner alongside Max Homa and Tom Kim.

However, his play left a lot to be desired.

His first full swing, a 3-wood from 279 yards that landed just off the green, brought a wave of nostalgia to fans.

However, on the seventh, Woods missed a 3-foot putt before slamming his putter into the turf in disgust as he handed Los Angeles Golf Club — which featured Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala and Tommy Fleetwood — the momentum.

From there Los Angeles Golf Club ran away with it, making three straight eagles to close out a 9-2 thrashing to lift the SoFi Cup.

Woods did not mince his words when speaking to reporters after the match.

“We got our a** kicked at the end,” Woods said, via ESPN.

“Three eagles in a row… I missed a short one to give them momentum, and we never got it back.”

Woods’ return to competitive golf comes with less than two weeks to go before The Masters gets underway.

Tiger remained coy about whether he would participate in the legendary tournament that starts on April 9, insisting that he’s doing everything he can to make it while reminding everyone he isn’t a youngster anymore.

Tiger Woods speaks to reporters after losing the TGL final. — Woods did not mince his words when asked about Jupiter’s heavy defeat

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club reacts on the third hole during the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. — Woods made his return just under two weeks before The Masters gets underway

Tiger Woods gives honest Masters update after TGL thrashing

“This body… It doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25.” Woods added.

“I’ve had a couple bad injuries over the past years that I’ve had to fight through and it’s taken time. But I keep trying.

“I want to play. I love the tournament. I’m going to be there either way with The Loop, that’s going up there, as well as the champions dinner.

“We’ll see how it goes. I’ll be practising, playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress.”

Jupiter Links took home $4.5 million for the win, but for Woods his return was less about money and all about stepping onto the course once again.

His last appearance came in early March 2025 before rupturing an Achilles tendon. The back surgery he underwent in October was his seventh.

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club lines up a putt on the seventh green during the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. — Woods showed flashes on his return but missed a crucial putt on the seventh that proved costly

Woods hinted that a Masters return was not ‘off the table’ back in February while speaking to reporters at the Genesis Invitational.

The five-time Masters champion managed all four rounds at Augusta in 2024 after battling his way through tough conditions.

Golf undoubtedly fans love Tiger — his 2019 Masters victory will be forever etched in the memories of many — but for some, 2026 should be the year Woods stays away from the Masters circus.

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