Tiger Woods offers surprise update on his recovery from seventh back surgery ahead of his 50th birthday
Golf icon Tiger Woods provided an update to his recovery from yet another back surgery and offered his thought on the return of a major champion to the PGA Tour.
Speaking to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt before Tuesday evening’s TGL match between Jupiter Links GC and New York GC, Woods revealed that he is taking baby steps in his recovery – but is now cleared to swing a select few of his clubs.
‘I’ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons,’ Woods revealed. ‘I haven’t gone any beyond that.
‘Um, you know, whenever that time comes, when I start hitting drivers, and I start playing at home, and start doing all the different things, I will have been away from the game for a year and a half, so I’m gonna be pretty rusty.
‘And so, there’s a lot that goes into it. My prep is gonna have to be a little bit different from my other procedures I’ve had in the past. I’ve had to stay a lot more patient with myself. I get sore faster, I guess, because I’m 50. And that happens.’
Woods underwent the procedure in the fall, marking the seventh time the 15-time major champion had an operation on his back.
The 50-year-old has been recovering from a seventh back surgery he underwent in the fall
The 50-year-old has not competed in a professional tournament since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He missed the cut after playing two rounds.
Woods hasn’t played a full four rounds of professional golf since the 2024 edition of The Masters.
Due to his lengthy absence, Woods is in danger of falling out of the Official World Gold Ranking altogether.
Before providing the update to his health, Woods was asked about the bombshell news regarding the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour after he defected to LIV Golf.
‘I think it’s incredible for the tour. It’s incredible for all the fans and the fan initiative program that we did last year, what they wanted. They want to see the best play against the best.
‘And for Brooks to want to come back a year early, and he was able to do that, and we worked through Christmas, and through their part of the year, with both boards, all the player directors, other players as well, to make sure that this is right.
Woods also offered his thoughts on the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf
‘I know, there’s some punitive damages there. Um, but, uh, it’s a meritocracy. That’s what makes our game so great. And he is gonna be playing full field events, and he has the ability to earn his way up to the signature events.
‘If he’s good, he’s good. [If] He plays great, [he] plays great. [If he] wins tournaments, [he] wins tournaments. There’s no reason why we should hold him back.’
Before he gets back to playing, Woods will be having a lavish celebration for his 50th birthday.
The California native, who hit the half-century mark on December 30, will have a celebrity-filled bash in south Florida on Wednesday evening.
The event, which is being branded as ‘RED: Celebrating Legacy presented by EY US’, will be hosted at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach.
According to Golf.com, 300 A-List celebrities have been invited for what they’re calling an ‘intimate’ celebration at the resort.
Woods will soon host a 50th birthday celebration at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida
The celebration will feature 300 A-List celebrities and a performance from Jon Bon Jovi
While the full list has not been revealed, the outlet reports that Jon Bon Jovi will be performing at the event.
In addition to marking another year of life, the celebration is meant to honor Woods’ iconic golf career.
Not only have attendees been asked to add ‘a touch of red’ to their attire for the evening – a nod to Woods’ iconic ‘Sunday uniform’ – but there will also be nods to The Masters.
The menu for the evening will be inspired by the various menus that Woods has served at the annual Masters Champions Dinner. Offerings reportedly include cheeseburgers, porterhouse steaks, fajitas, crab cakes, milkshakes and more.
