{"id":409736,"date":"2026-01-15T00:05:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T00:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/409736\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T00:05:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T00:05:03","slug":"tiger-woods-shares-major-update-on-golf-status-after-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/409736\/","title":{"rendered":"Tiger Woods shares major update on golf status after surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"

This section is Presented<\/p>\n

This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication.<\/p>\n

by Callaway Golf <\/a> \"\" <\/a><\/p>\n

Breadcrumb Trail Links<\/p>\n

Sports<\/a>Golf<\/a><\/p>\n

The golf icon spoke at a TGL event, revealing that he has been cleared to swing clubs after undergoing his seventh back surgery.<\/p>\n

Published Jan 14, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 7\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n

\"TigerTiger Woods at the Hero World Challenge PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, on Dec. 7, 2025. AP PhotoArticle content<\/p>\n

Tiger Woods may be back swinging some golf clubs, but he\u2019s not close to getting back on the course and starting to compete again.<\/p>\n

The golf icon says that while he has been cleared to start hitting balls after undergoing his seventh back surgery this past fall, he still has a long way to go in his recovery.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Woods, who turned 50 years old on Dec. 30, spoke with ESPN\u2019s Scott Van Pelt before his Jupiter Links GC took on New York GC in TGL action on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons,\u201d said Woods, who has won 15 majors in his illustrious career. \u201cI haven\u2019t gone any beyond that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement 2<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

\"Toronto<\/p>\n

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n

REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

“I think it’s incredible for the Tour.”<\/p>\n

Tiger Woods weighs in on Brooks Koepka returning to the PGA Tour ahead of Jupiter Links’ first match of the TGL season. pic.twitter.com\/UYwmRaNQXn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN (@espn) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

He also said that he has realistic expectations for whenever he is able to return to action, given his age and the wear on his body.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever 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\u2019m gonna be pretty rusty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so, there\u2019s a lot that goes into it. My prep is gonna have to be a little bit different from my other procedures I\u2019ve had in the past. I\u2019ve had to stay a lot more patient with myself. I get sore faster, I guess, because I\u2019m 50. And that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tiger Woods could lose world ranking<\/p>\n

After turning 50, Woods now also qualifies to play on the Champions Tour, but there is an added reason why he likely would prefer to play a PGA Tour event: He\u2019s close to completely losing his world ranking.<\/p>\n

Due to his lengthy layoff as a result of injury and surgery, Woods \u2014 who currently sits at No. 2,626 in the World Golf Rankings<\/a> \u2014 will become unranked if he hasn\u2019t completed a tournament before this year\u2019s British Open.<\/p>\n

Advertisement 3<\/p>\n

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Woods hasn\u2019t played a full four rounds of professional golf since the 2024 Masters and, in his most recent event, missed the cut by 12 strokes at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.<\/p>\n

According to Today\u2019s Golfer<\/a>, Woods \u201cwill become unranked in Week 29, 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tiger weighs in Brooks Koepka\u2019s PGA Tour return<\/p>\n

Tiger also shared his thoughts on five-time major winner Brooks Koepka ditching LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s incredible for the tour,\u201d Woods said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More<\/p>\n

\"US <\/p>\n

Brooks Koepka returns to PGA Tour \u2014\u00a0here\u2019s\u00a0what it will cost him<\/p>\n

<\/a> \"Charlie <\/p>\n

Tiger Woods jokes with son Charlie after close call with freak injury<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Koepka rejoins the Tour as part of a new Returning Member Program \u2014 which comes with a price.<\/p>\n

As part of the terms agreed to, Koepka will be able to return to play almost immediately, but with \u201cstrict limitations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Koepka will make a charitable donation of US$5 million and will be ineligible for both the Player Equity Program for five years (with a projected $50 million to $85 million in lost earnings) and the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus payouts.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n