The expectation has long been that Woods may not return competitively until 2026, but optimism has quietly grown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A report last week revealed he has been testing new prototype Bridgestone balls and is reportedly seeing an uptick in ball speed<\/a> \u2014 a detail that has reignited whispers that we could see him sooner than expected.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Woods has already ruled himself out of his annual Hero World Challenge at Albany in two weeks\u2019 time, where Scottie Scheffler<\/a> will look to become the first player in tournament history to win three consecutive titles.\u00a0<\/p>\n The PNC Championship \u2014 a 36-hole scramble he typically plays alongside his son Charlie Woods<\/a> \u2014 remains a possible late-December opportunity, though Team Woods is not currently in the field.<\/p>\n Medical experts continue to urge patience, with April\u2019s Masters shaping up as the most realistic target for a competitive return. After consecutive major procedures and a long rehabilitation runway, the sensible timeline points to Augusta.<\/p>\n But this is Tiger Woods \u2014 a man forever chasing history. His next PGA Tour<\/a> victory would mark a record-setting 83rd, moving him clear of Sam Snead after years of sharing the all-time lead at 82.<\/p>\n Woods approaches his 50th birthday on 30 December 2025, which will make him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2026. Whether he chooses to tee it up with his old rivals in a cart-permitted environment is still unknown, but the option now looms large.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Earlier this week, friend and former PGA Tour pro Notah Begay suggested Woods may target flatter courses<\/a> if he returns in 2026 \u2014 mentioning Colonial and RBC Heritage at Hilton Head as potential additions to a reduced schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n Begay says Woods can still hit all the shots he wants, but walking 72 holes remains the biggest barrier.<\/p>\n Woods in commercial mode with PGA Tour 2K<\/p>\n Tiger appears in new PGA Tour 2K commercial<\/p>\n For now, Woods is popping up in a different arena \u2014 gaming \u2014 starring in a comedic new advert promoting PGA Tour 2K25 on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.<\/p>\n “Alright, par-3, 172 [yards], over the water, slightly into the wind, I’m thinking a hard 8…” Woods says, as he enters the video commercial with a caddie peering over his shoulder.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n “That’s not what I had in mind,” said the caddie.<\/p>\n Woods then reveals that he\u2019s actually playing PGA Tour 2K on the Switch 2.<\/p>\n PGA Tour 2K\u2019s social team shared the clip with the caption: “Your round starts wherever you are. With #PGATOUR2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2, you can take your MyCAREER on the go, challenge friends anytime, and so much more.”<\/p>\n Watch the video commercial below:<\/p>\n Your round starts wherever you are \u26f3\ufe0f<\/p>\n With #PGATOUR2K25<\/a> on Nintendo Switch 2, you can take your MyCAREER on the go, challenge friends anytime, and so much more. pic.twitter.com\/uu61FOXo4s<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Woods](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tiger-new-ad.jpg\")
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