Tiger Woods makes first public appearance since back surgery

Golf fans think they have spotted a clue about Tiger Woods’ playing future during a recent photoshoot with sponsor Bridgestone.

Some golf fans reckon they spotted a clue about Tiger Woods‘ playing future as the 15-time major champion made his first public appearance since undergoing surgery.

The 49-year-old had disc replacement surgery in October after he began to experience pain and a lack of mobility in his lower back.

Woods said the procedure – which was the seventh in the past decade – was deemed a success but opted not to declare if and when he would try and return to the golf course.

He has not played in an a competitive event since the 2024 Open Championship held at Royal Troon. Woods also had surgery to repair a ruptured achilles in March.

On Tuesday, Woods was spotted taking part in a content shoot for one of his sponsors, Bridgestone Golf, with a new logo on his sleeve.

Woods inked a deal with Insperity earlier in the year. Some X users pointed out this was important because the company is closely linked with the PGA Tour Champions. Credit: Instagram/@stahls_

Many other senior players, such as Fred Couples, Jim Furyk and Bernhard Langer regularly compete or appear in Insperity-hosted events, clinics and charity days.

Woods has not explicitly committed to playing on the senior tour but plenty of others have weighed in on the subject.

The chief executive of the PGA Tour Champions has said the circuit is prepared if he decides to play.

While his former rival Ernie Els has publicly encouraged Woods to play once he turns 50. “Beat us again, if you can,” he said.

Not everyone believes Woods will play PGA Tour Champions

Woods would be able to use a golf cart in competition on the 54-hole senior tour.

Some have suggested the tournaments would serve as better preparation for the major championships as Woods brings his playing career to an end over the next few years.

NBC reporter Ryan Lavner said this week on his podcast that he still remains sceptical about Woods’ chances.

“I think a couple of years ago you could have made the argument that he would play a handful of them,” he said.

“He certainly talked optimistically about doing so. He liked the idea of being with the players of that ilk, of that vintage. Players who he grew up playing with like Fred Couples or Mark O’Meara.

“However, I think the last couple of years have dimmed that optimism a little bit. It hasn’t just been the back issues, which were numerous anyway, including the fused back. Then it was the ankle issue.

“Then it became the achilles issue which knocked him out the entire 2025 and now we have the back issue.

“If you are Tiger Woods, are you really going to spend what clearly appears to be a finite number of golf swings and golf shots left in his body.

“Are you going to burn them on the over 50’s set or are you going to try and catch lightning in a bottle at a major championship and save that for The Masters or The Open Championship? I think it’s the latter.”

Lavner said he believes the US Senior Open is the only event he could see Woods play in 2026.

“We will see then where his body is, but it’s really hard to foresee him playing three to five regular PGA Tour Champions events,” he said.

“I think five or so years ago, before these most recent issues cropped up, then yeah. I think you could maybe have cobbled together a schedule, where he is playing about once a month.

“But it’s hard to see it right now, as we are about a month and a half away from Tiger Woods turning 50.”