Just weeks remain in the countdown for the 2026 Masters, and we still do not know if the greatest golfer of all time will be playing.
Tiger Woods underwent his seventh back surgery last October, which saw him sidelined from competitive action until this week. Woods announced at the Genesis Invitational that he was eyeing a return to Augusta, but it always seemed like an outside possibility.
Despite Woods’ insistence that he was doing everything he could to get back into playing shape, as the clock ticked down, it became less and less likely. That was until the 15-time major winner teed off in the TGL final to make his competitive return to action.
Playing in an indoor simulator league and playing 72 holes at Augusta are two very different propositions, and Woods remained uncommitted. But while the golfing world wondered, US President Donald Trump seems to have confirmed Woods’ playing status for this year’s event.
Donald Trump says Tiger Woods won’t be playing at The Masters
Woods is married to Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, so the United States President may have some inside information on the five-time Masters winner’s playing status.
And speaking on Fox News’ The Five, he delivered some bad news. Trump said, “I love Tiger, but he won’t be there. He’ll be there. He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”
Trump and Woods have a relationship that spans several years. Trump famously awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, calling him a “global symbol of American excellence.”
Trump reportedly blessed the relationship between Woods and Vanessa Trump, which began in 2024, and Woods has often advised the President on the future of professional golf.
It’s entirely plausible that Trump does know that Woods won’t be playing at Augusta, although it isn’t his news to tell. We’ll likely get an official verdict from Woods in the coming days.
What Tiger Woods last said about playing at The Masters
Woods, when last asked if he plans to play at The Masters, didn’t give much of a convincing answer. After returning to competitive action at the TGL final, he said he’s still trying, but his body is betraying him once again.
Woods explained, “I’ve been trying. Just this body is — it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25. It doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I’ve been trying for a while. I’ve had a couple bad injuries here over the past years that I’ve had to fight through and it’s taken some time.
“But I keep trying. I want to play. I love the tournament. I’ve loved being there since I was 19 years old. It’s meant a lot to me and my family over the years. I’m going to be there either way with The Loop that’s going up there, as well as the Champions Dinner.”
It’s been a fun ride speculating whether Woods would be back at Augusta, but as the days pass by, it’s not looking great.
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