With Tiger Woods' TGL season now at an end after his Jupiter Links squad failed to make the playoffs, golf fans around the world have been wondering when and where we'll see the 82-time PGA Tour winner tee it up next.
Some were hoping to see him at this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he's won a record eight times. But that's obviously not happening.
Up next on the PGA Tour schedule, of course, is The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, which many consider golf's fifth major championship. And seeing how this is the final year Woods has an exemption at the event thanks to his victory at The Masters in 2019, there is still hope that he'll announce his participation ahead of Friday afternoon's deadline.
But given the comments made recently by the 15-time major champion, those clamoring to see him play some non-simulated golf may have to wait a while, as Tiger says he's had trouble getting into his normal practice routine since the death of his mother just over a month ago.
“This is the third time I've touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven't really gotten into it,” Woods said following his TGL match on Tuesday night. “My heart is not really into practicing right now. I've had so many other things to do with the TOUR and trying to do other things. Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I'll start looking at the schedule.”
Given Woods' competitive nature, even at this stage in his career, those comments make it safe to assume that he won't attempt to try his luck against such a loaded field at The Players.
Tiger's practice routine is obviously a big part of what's made him the legend he is, and one wouldn't think he'd head to a place like Sawgrass without being as sharp as he can be. And if he indeed does sit out the PGA Tour's flagship event, there's really only one place for him to make his return.
Tiger Woods will likely make his return at The Masters
Since Woods says he needs to look at the schedule, we'll go ahead and take care that for him.
As mentioned, following this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, the PGA Tour heads to Sawgrass for The Players Championship.
You've then got the Valspar Championship (March 20-23), the Texas Children's Houston Open (March 27-30), and the Valero Texas Open (April 3-6). With all due respect to these great events, there's absolutely zero chance Tiger tees it up at any of them.
So, as we've obviously already said with that little headline above, the only place that makes sense for Woods to make his return is at The Masters, which begins on April 10 from famed Augusta National Golf Club.
That gives the five-time champ just over a month to get himself ready for the season's first major. Tiger has made it very clear throughout his career that the majors are his primary focus, and that's even more so these days, given the state of his body.
So, while it's a bit disheartening that we won't see Woods for a while, Masters week will be here before you know it.