Tiger Woods’ Masters return questioned as ‘bigger challenges’ await despite ‘incredible’ TGL showing

Tiger Woods’ potential return to The Masters return took a significant hit last week.

Woods was arrested and taken to jail after his vehicle rolled over following a collision with a trailer in Florida on Friday.

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The 15-time major winner was charged with driving under the influence, and later released on bail.

His accident came just days after Woods returned to golf, participating with his Jupiter Links Golf Club in the TGL final against Los Angeles.

Woods was brutally honest about his putting, which let him down in the final as he and his club missed out on $4.5 million, but he did play well off the tee.

Woods remained sceptical about returning to The Masters when speaking at the TGL final, and despite being unharmed in his latest car crash, former European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley said the chances are slim that he competes.

“I would think so. I would say his whole life is in turmoil at this moment in time,” McGinley told Sky Sports News.

“I’d be surprised if we see him at the Masters, I think he’s got much bigger challenges going on than whether he plays in the Masters or not at the moment.

“He played in the TGL match during the week, and it was the first time we’d seen him competitively, even though it was an indoor game.

“His speeds were right up there; it was incredible how fast he was swinging the golf club.

“Although he walked with a bit of a limp because of the serious car crash he had a few years ago, he looked to be heading towards playing, but I think this is really going to set him back.”

Woods is listed in the field as a past champion, and has no deadline to commit to featuring in this year’s contest.

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In 2022, he was in a similar situation, and used the Masters as a comeback less than 14 months after a car crash left him with serious leg and ankle injuries.

Woods would go on to withdraw ahead of the final day of the 2023 contest, where cold weather aggravated his ankle injury and left him limping.

In 2024, he had the worst round of his major career — an 82 on the third-day that caused him to finish last among those who made the weekend.

Despite the latest career setback, McGinley doesn’t believe this will be the end of Woods appearing in professional golf.

“I wouldn’t discount [Woods playing again],” McGinley added.

“He’s got a heart the size of a lion, and he loves playing golf, he loves competing, and he’s now 50 years of age, so he can play in seniors golf.

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“I don’t think we’ve seen the end of him as a competitive player.

“He’s a competitive animal by nature, and I think that once he deals with whatever issues he’s got going on at the moment, settles his life, looks at a new pathway, golf is certainly going to be a part of that.”

Should The Masters prove too soon, both physically, and with the risk of overshadowing the tournament since the car crash, Woods has the option of featuring in the US Senior Open in July.