Tiger Woods Fuels return Speculation with First Golf Swings As Surgery
Jersey City, NJ - September 9, 2025 – Tiger Woods, 49, ignited excitement among golf enthusiasts today with his first public golf swings since undergoing Achilles surgery. The 15-time major champion was observed practicing at a course in Jersey City, New Jersey, marking a significant step in his recovery and prompting speculation about a potential return to competitive play as early as 2026.
Woods has been sidelined from official competition since missing the cut at The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024. His recent activity suggests a focused effort toward regaining form, with the 2026 Masters Tournament-scheduled for the second weekend of April-emerging as a possible target. the event would be 13 months removed from his surgical procedure.
Despite a current world ranking of No. 1,839, a consequence of limited participation-only 11 events since a February 2021 car accident-Woods retains a lifetime exemption to the Masters as a five-time Green Jacket winner.This guarantees him a spot at Augusta National should he choose to compete.The return to practice signals a potential pathway back to professional golf for a player whose career has been repeatedly challenged by injury.
