Tiger Woods injury update: What he's said about returning to golf

Tiger Woods recently resolved a DUI-related legal matter and now focuses on returning to professional golf. In March 2025, Woods sustained a car accident that resulted in a plea deal whereby he pleaded no contest to charges of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a breath test. As part of the agreement, his driver's license was suspended for five years. Woods' attorney described the plea as a measure to bring closure and enable Woods and his family to move on with their lives.

After the crash, Woods underwent disc replacement surgery on his lumbar spine in October 2025, marking his seventh back surgery since 2018. The athlete had not played a professional golf tournament since The Open Championship in July 2024. Following the incident, Woods took a break from golf to focus on his health and undergo rehabilitation in Switzerland.

Woods has not publicly discussed his golf future, but he has hinted at the challenges he faces in returning to the PGA Tour. He mentioned that his body has been through a lot since his previous surgeries and that it might take him longer to recover compared to younger athletes like Will Zalatoris, who also underwent back surgery.

Despite the setbacks, Woods remains optimistic about his prospects and has expressed his desire to compete in future tournaments, including the 2026 Masters, the Genesis Invitational, and the TGL finals.