Tiger Woods at 50: As 15-time major champion celebrates milestone birthday, when will he return to competitive golf?

Tiger Woods is celebrating his 50th birthday – but when will golf fans be toasting the 15-time major champion’s return to competitive action?

Woods was limited to the role of tournament host at the Hero World Challenge in December due to injury, with uncertainty remaining over his future and what his schedule will look like in the years ahead.

The 82-time PGA Tour winner has played sparingly since suffering career-threatening injuries in a 2021 car crash, completing a full 72-hole tournament just four times over the past five years.

Woods missed the entire 2025 major season after rupturing his Achilles in March, then underwent disc replacement in October - at least the seventh back surgery he has had during his career.

The former world No 1 admitted recovery from his latest setback is going "not as fast" and, as of December 8, was only cleared by doctors to chip and putt.

"[Surgery] was a good thing to do, something I needed to have happen. it just takes time and dedication to the rehab process," said Woods at the time, as he revealed he "can't really do much" but now has the the all-clear to "start cranking up a little bit in the gym".

Woods has made multiple injury comebacks over his lengthy career, with 2026 marking the 30th anniversary of him turning professional, but it remains unclear when we will next see him on the course.