Tiger Woods’s Return Date Pushed Back Further: Comeback Options After Players Championship Rejection Explored

Tiger Woods will not be at Ponte Vedra when the Tour stops for the Players Championship. The PGA Tour released the 144-man field for the March 14 event and Woods’s name was a glaring absence. It was widely expected that the veteran golfer would tee up at TPC Sawgrass, having earlier expressed his wish to play one tournament a month.

Speaking at the Hero World Challenge last December, the 15-time Major winner said, “Once a month seems reasonable. It gives me a couple of weeks to recover and a week to tune up. Maybe I can get into the rhythm.”

Woods, who was recently named the Vice Chairman of the PGA Tour Enterprises, is not taking part in Bay Hill as well for the ongoing Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has won eight times at Bay Hill including straight four victories between 2000-2003. The Players Championship, despite its non-signature status, generally draws in the top players. 

Tiger Woods has teed up at TPC Sawgrass 19 times in his career, with five top-10 finishes to his name, including two victories in 2001 and 2013. He also came in a close second in 2000 and had previously withdrawn from the Players Championship twice. In 2010, the 48-year-old golfer had to pull out due to a neck injury in the final rounds. The next year, Woods removed himself before the tournament started. 

In his most recent PGA Tour start, Tiger Woods shot 1-over 71 in the opening round of the Genesis Invitational. However, he bowed out during the second round with flu-like symptoms. It was later confirmed that Woods had influenza. 

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Notably, Tiger Woods was on the greens at Juno Beach for the elite Seminole Pro member last Monday. Partnering with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, the Hall of Famer tied for 33rd with a net score of 66, and 44th with a gross score of 70. That was his maiden outing at the elite evet close to his home. Is there any surprise participation coming in the future?

Where will Tiger Woods play next?

After the Players, the tour will stop at Palm Harbor for the Valspar Championship. Woods has played only once at the Valspar Championship before in 2018, for a T2 finish. After that there are two tournaments before the Masters – the Valero Texas Open and the Texas Children’s Houston Open. Woods hasn’t played in these two events before. 

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So, it won’t be surprising if Tiger Woods tees up directly at the Masters next. It might very as well be that the 48-year-old will play only the Majors till July this year. Interestingly, his friend, Steve Stricker said he might invite Woods to pair up for the Zurich Classic, the Tour’s only team event. Woods hasn’t played a full round in any PGA Tour event since the Hero World Challenge.