Even after undergoing another surgery, this time on his L4/5 lumbar spine to help ease lower back pain, chatter has already started about what Tiger Woods may do in 2026. With the 15-time major champion turning 50 on December 30th, the opportunity will be there for Woods to play the PGA Tour Champions if he wants to.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the eighth hole during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Whether or not Woods’ competitive fire will be enough for him to have interest in the PGA Tour Champions if his body allows it, the question remains, will the infrastructure be in place to handle the influx of fans and media that would surely follow him?
Given his stellar career, Tiger Woods would be eligible to play in any PGA Tour Champions event he wants to, except for the playoffs, which he would need to qualify for. Whether he will do so when healthy remains to be seen, but many PGA Tour Champions greats have reportedly given him encouragement to do so.
Ernie Els offered up some comments via the The Palm Beach Post, saying ““I’ve said, please come play. And I think it can only be beneficial to him.” “He will get himself in golf shape. You can ride a cart without any shame and if there was one guy that should be able to drive a cart, it’s him. … And he can get his ass back in shape.”
In early 2025, Paul Azinger, while promoting the PGA Tour Champions Chubb Classic at Tiburon Golf Club, even went as far as to say that Woods would feel the need to play the PGA Tour Champions as a way of giving back for all that the PGA Tour has given him. “I think Tiger might even feel an obligation to play the Tour,” Azinger said. “The Tour has given Tiger a lot of money the last few years with that Player Impact Program. I’m sure he’s going to give back, and it’s going to be to the benefit of these guys out here that are over 50.”
Woods has been very quiet about his golf future, other than revealing the back surgery that he had earlier this month. Regardless of what Woods decides to do, PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady divulged this week on the Golf Channel that preparations were already underway for the scenario that Woods decides to play.
“The answer is yes, we’re ready. We’re well prepared,” Brady said on Golf Channel about Woods’ potential debut. “We’ve done some white boarding over the past year in preparation for Tiger turning 50, and if and when he plays, our tournaments will be prepared.”
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the eighth green during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Brady went into a little more detail about specific challenges that could arise from Woods playing in a tournament. “It is going to be more. And you mentioned it — security, buses, portalettes, concession stands — all of that is taken into account when we prepare for [Woods playing],” he said.
Miller Brady didn’t have interest in hypothesizing whether or not Woods would play the PGA Tour Champions in 2026. Instead he commented, “To be honest with you, given the last surgery, I just hope that Tiger gets back on his feet and is able to play golf again.”
It is safe to say that golf fans around the world hold the same sentiment as Brady. Getting Tiger Woods healthy and back golfing again, even if it is on the PGA Tour Champions will be a lift not only for that tour, but golf itself.
Mike is a founding member of Break80 Golf and a contributing golf and sports writer for Forbes with PGA Tour and LIV Golf media credentials. He can be found on social media platforms @short_sided_golf
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikefore/2025/10/31/will-tiger-woods-play-the-pga-tour-champions-tour-says-were-ready/
