Can "the Golf Emperor" Woods Win Again on the Regular Tour?

Multiple Back Surgeries Make Comeback Challenging
Physical Difficulties, Struggles with Walking the Course
Turning 50 This Year, Senior Tour Becomes a Realistic Option
Three-Round Events and the Advantage of Using Golf Carts

The absence of "the golf emperor," Tiger Woods (USA), continues to lengthen.

Since undergoing back surgery in October of last year, Woods has been fully focused on rehabilitation. As his condition has not fully recovered, he was unable to participate in the Hero World Challenge, a special PGA Tour event hosted by his foundation last month. His last official tournament was The Open in July 2024. Effectively, he has been absent from the field for a year and six months. Recently, he has only made appearances at the TGL screen golf tournament.

Tiger Woods, approaching 50 years old, continues to struggle to overcome his injuries. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The main issue is that there is no clear timeline for his return. Woods stated, "My recovery is not progressing as quickly as I thought," and added, "I think I will know when I can compete again only after I start playing golf properly." Since last month, he has begun chipping and putting, and he is also engaging in strength and rotational exercises to regain his fitness. Since 1992, 2024 is the first year that Woods has not played in a single PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

There is considerable skepticism about whether Woods, who has 82 career victories including 15 major titles, can return to the top. By the end of this year, Woods will turn 50, and he has experienced repeated cycles of surgeries and injuries. He has undergone operations on his knee, wrist, Achilles tendon, neck, and back, and in 2021, he suffered severe injuries to his right leg and ankle in a car accident. At the time, there were even predictions that his playing career was over.

Woods proved his determination by making a comeback at the 2022 Masters. However, due to lingering effects from the car accident, the number of tournaments he has played in has dropped sharply. He played in three events in 2022, two in 2023, and five in 2024, with his best result being a tie for 45th at the 2023 Genesis Invitational. At the 2024 Masters, he shot a 10-over-par 82 in the third round.

Tiger Woods is watching the first round of the Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, last month. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The local media is also cautious about his return to the regular tour. Golf Monthly US commented, "Woods is still capable of hitting good shots, but walking the course and playing does not look easy for him." As a realistic alternative, they suggested the senior tour (PGA Tour Champions).

The senior tour offers a relatively friendly environment for Woods. The tournaments are played over three rounds, and players can use carts upon request. This reduces the strain on the back, knees, and ankles. However, Golf Monthly US also noted, "Even on the senior tour, a win is not guaranteed," adding, "There are many big-name players, so it will not be easy."

It is analyzed that Tiger Woods, who is undergoing rehabilitation after back surgery, will find it difficult to win on the PGA Tour. Photo by AP Yonhap News