Tiger Woods Stil Unsure Of 2025 Return but Says
Tiger Woods has admitted he’s unsure if he’ll return to competitive golf anytime soon after deciding he’s “not sharp enough” to compete in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, an event he hosts.
The 15-time major champion has only played 11 tournaments since a serious car accident in February 2021. This year, he missed the cut in three of the four majors and has been dealing with ongoing health issues. Woods had surgery in September to address back pain and spasms that affected his ability to play.
Speaking at a press conference, Woods said, “I’m not ready to compete yet. These are some of the best players in the world, and I’m just not sharp enough to join them.” He added that he’s disappointed but focused on training and recovery to improve his chances for next year.
Woods had a tough season, withdrawing from February’s Genesis Invitational due to illness and struggling in the majors, including The Masters, the PGA Championship, the US Open, and The Open. Reflecting on the year, he said, “I didn’t expect my back to worsen like it did. The pain was severe, so I had another procedure to address it. Now, I’m just working on getting stronger and healthier.”
Looking ahead, Woods is hopeful but realistic. He previously aimed to play one tournament a month in 2024 but now says he’s uncertain about his schedule. “I don’t know what my commitment will look like,” he admitted. “This year was a wash, but I hope next year I’ll be stronger and better prepared.”
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Once ranked in the world’s top five, Woods has fallen outside the top 1,000 due to his limited appearances. Despite the challenges, he says his competitive spirit is intact. “The fire to compete is still there. I love competing, whether it’s on the golf course or playing cards. But my body doesn’t recover like it used to, and that’s the reality of getting older as an athlete.”
Woods remains optimistic that his recent surgery will help him build momentum for the future, though he acknowledges the road ahead won’t be easy.
