At the Genesis Invitational, many of the world’s highest-profile players are competing, but there are still some big names missing from the Signature Event, and none bigger than Tiger Woods.
Despite that, as tournament host, Woods still spoke to the media before the first round at Riviera Country Club, and confirmed he was back to hitting full shots, so when might he return?
A handful of TGL appearances in 2025 aside, the 15-time Major winner, hasn’t played competitively since the 2024 PNC Championship, while his last big event came at that year’s Open, where he missed the cut.
His prolonged absence is largely down to his latest injury setbacks, namely Achilles surgery, which he underwent in March 2025, followed by his third surgery in 13 months, on his back, last October. But when could he return?
Assuming Woods decides against playing in the Cognizant Classic, the Valspar Championship, the Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open in the coming months, that leaves three huge events in the immediate schedule. But could he make his comeback in any of them?
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Tiger Woods has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational eight times
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Talking to the media before the Genesis Invitational, Woods refused to give a date for his comeback.
He also confirmed that, while he has recovered from his Achilles surgery, his latest back surgery had been particularly difficult, saying: “Well, the disc replacement has been one thing. It’s been a challenge to – I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging.”
Despite that slightly downbeat assessment, there was some good news, as he confirmed he was back to hitting full shots. So, could he play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational?
Woods is eligible thanks to his past champion status, while in any case, a special exemption category was created for him in 2024, which allows him to play in any Signature Event he chooses.
He has had huge success at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, too, winning it on eight occasions. However, it seems unlikely he will play given his reluctance to set a comeback date and how close the event is, beginning just 11 days after the Genesis Invitational ends.
Woods also said in his press conference that…
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