Tiger Woods has been a notable absentee from the PGA Tour in recent times, and he once again won’t be in action at the Players Championship this weekKylee Hansen Junior Golf Reporter and Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
08:52, 12 Mar 2026
Tiger Woods will once again miss out on the historic tournament(Image: Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Tommy Fleetwood was left stunned after discovering that 82-time PGA Tour champion Tiger Woods is ineligible for the Players Championship. The 15-time major champion is currently recuperating from his seventh back operation with no confirmed return date, though he’s insisted the Masters remains a possibility.
However, Woods wouldn’t be featuring at the Players Championship regardless. The 50-year-old doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements for the Players, as participants must have secured at least one PGA Tour victory since the previous Championship and won a major within the last five years.
His most recent major triumph came at the 2019 Masters. “Is Tiger not eligible for this event… That’s unbelievable,” Fleetwood remarked ahead of the tournament getting underway.
When questioned whether he’d welcome Woods’ participation, Fleetwood responded: “I would love Tiger Woods to play. I can’t believe he’s not eligible. How bad is Tiger Woods at golf?
“No, no, I am actually very surprised. I didn’t realise. You know, I wasn’t really sure what criteria goes into this tournament, but like, yeah, if Tiger Woods wants to play anywhere in the world I think, yeah, I think Tiger Woods should be able to play.”
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If Woods had triumphed in either the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial Tournament or the Tour Championship in the past three years, or was within the top 50 globally, he’d qualify.
The Players Championship is the sole event that doesn’t provide sponsors exemptions. “I mean, I’m always going to be for him playing,” Justin Thomas commented on Woods.
Tommy Fleetwood was stunned upon learning of Tiger Woods’ ineligibility (Image: Getty Images)
“I think for the betterment of golf and the tournament, I don’t think there’s anybody that would be against it. I guess unless somebody that isn’t qualified, I’m sure they would like to play too.
“But I guess we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.” Players can also participate in the tournament if they’re in the top 10 for FedEx Cup points list prior to the Players Championship.
Woods last clinched the 2019 Baycurrent Classic and has only made 15 out of 21 cuts since then. He has been grappling with persistent back problems.
But the iconic golfer did hint that the Masters is a possibility, and he would at least be present at Augusta National Golf Club in April. “I don’t know,” responded Woods when questioned if fans would see him before the 2026 Masters.
“Whether it’s a regular tour, a senior tour, or a member-guest, I don’t know.”