Donald Trump drops bombshell Tiger Woods Masters update

Mar 27, 2026 - 10:00
Donald Trump drops bombshell Tiger Woods Masters update

Tiger Woods will not be playing at the Masters this year, according to US President Donald Trump.

Woods, 50, revealed recently that he has been eyeing a return to Augusta National, and that he plans to attend Rory McIlroy’s Champions Dinner.

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club looks on before the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026
Woods returned to competitive golf action this week and wants to play at the Masters
Getty

The 15-time Major champion made his season debut earlier this week when he featured in the TGL finale, having spent months recovering from back surgery in October 2025.

“I’ve been trying,” he said of a Masters return after that appearance.

“This body just doesn’t recover like it did when I was 24 or 25. I want to play.

“I love the tournament. I love being there since I was 19 years old. I’m going to be there either way.”

Donald Trump shares bombshell Tiger Woods update

Optimism he could play, though, has quickly been extinguished by President Trump.

In a passing remark to Fox News, he suggested Woods will not be in the mix to win the coveted gold jacket next month.

“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump said on The Five, when asked who he will be rooting for at Augusta National.

“He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”

The US president did not reveal the source of his Masters intelligence.

Woods is currently dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Trump’s oldest son, Donald Jr.

President Donald Trump gives professional golfer and business partner Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House May 06, 2019
President Trump has revealed Woods will not compete at Augusta National
Getty

The couple were seen together at Tuesday’s TGL finale at SoFi Center in Florida, where Jupiter Links GC were beaten on the golf legend’s return to action.

Woods, Tom Kim and Max Homa suffered a 9-2 loss at the hands of Los Angeles Golf Club in match two of the finals, and missed out on SoFi Cup glory.

Tiger Woods admits he ‘got his a** kicked’ on golf return

Speaking afterwards, Woods said it felt good to be back, but added Jupiter Links were outclassed by the trio of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala.

“We got our a** kicked at the end,” he admitted.

“It felt great to be back here with these guys… it was a great team, I’m frustrated that we didn’t get it done.

“It feels good to be back but I’d have liked it to be in better circumstances.

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club reacts on the second green during the match against the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026
Woods admitted he got his butt kicked in the TGL finale
Getty

“But that’s the way sports is — you put yourself out there, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And you deal with it.”

Woods had just nine swings in his TGL appearance, which marked his first competitive action since tearing his Achilles in March 2025.

It was a small, but perhaps significant, step back onto the competitive stage after a string of injuries and surgeries.

The icon last teed it up in outdoor competition in July 2024, when he missed the cut at the Open Championship, and previously suggested he could make a late decision over a Masters return in April.

Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019
Woods won the Masters in stunning fashion seven years ago
Getty

“I don’t know, we’ll see how it goes,” Woods said.

“I’ll be practicing playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress.”

President Trump, though, has seemingly let the cat out of the bag, and any Woods appearance at Augusta National will likely be in a non-playing capacity.

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