What's motivating McIlroy this week in India
Golf Channel's Paige Mackenzie breaks down Rory McIlroy's motivations behind playing this week's DP World Tour event in New Delhi, India. McIlroy has yet to miss a cut this year on the European circuit.
Tiger Woods and Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach and Tiger Woods.
It’s too early to start thinking about the 15-time major champion playing at the 2027 U.S. Open — at the same course where he won his first of three U.S. Open crowns and set the largest margin of victory in men’s major championship history. A lot can happen between now and then, especially given Woods’ extensive injury history.
But if you follow Woods on social media — or his live events handle, TGR Live — then it’s not out of the question to begin asking when might the 50-year-old make his return to competitive golf?
TGR Live posted video of Woods practicing Tuesday — a day after the fifth annual TGR Jr. Invitational concluded at Pebble Beach Resorts, with a caption that read “Back on your feed, right where this swing belongs.”
Woods hosted the match-play finals that featured 60 young players, and could be seen delivering their introductions as they walked up to the first tee.
Video of Woods making those introductions received more than 18,000 likes and more than 200 comments on TGR Live’s Instagram — the most traction the account has received on a post other than practice footage shared on September 15 at Liberty National in New Jersey.
Woods’ last professional outing came at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he finished 14 over par and missed the cut.
Although he hasn’t made any comments about a possible future playing schedule since his car crash and suspected-DUI arrest earlier this year in Florida, Woods had been ramping up to play at the time of his rollover accident.
He completed rehab at a center in Switzerland in June after previously posting on social media to tell fans he was “stepping away … to seek treatment.”
Three possible tournaments
So, when will Woods step back into the proverbial ring and compete professionally again?
There are three events — two this year and one at the beginning of next — that seem like strong possible landing spots. But again, it’s all speculation at this point.
The first is the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas which Woods hosts every year and runs from Dec. 3-6. The 20-man event benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and is part of the PGA Tour’s schedule but offers no FedExCup points to its participants.
If Woods wanted to slowly play his way back versus competing against the world’s top players, the most friendly option could be the PNC Championship at Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando. The 36-hole scramble features 20 two-player family teams and will be played Dec. 17-20. Woods has played the event five times with son Charlie.
And lastly, Woods could wait until February 2027 and make his return at Riviera, where he hosts the Genesis Invitational every year.
The signature event returned to Pacific Palisades in 2026, and is set to be played Feb. 18-21 next year with Jacob Bridgeman as the defending champion.