No one knows for sure when Tiger Woods will be able to return to competitive golf, but it sounds as if it won’t be anytime soon. According to Mike Whan, the USGA CEO and Woods’ friend, he doesn’t expect the golf legend to tee it up at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club next month.
“I’d be super surprised,” Whan told Sports Illustrated when asked if Woods will play in the 2026 U.S. Open. “It would be wonderful for the event, and if he was ready, it would be wonderful for him.”
The U.S. Senior Open in July would be a more realistic timeline for Woods if he’s open to transitioning to the PGA Tour Champions, but Whan doesn’t believe he will enter either tournament.
“Obviously, what he’s going through is much bigger than golf,” Whan said. “He’s proven before that when he puts his mind to something, he’s going to be great at it. I’m sure he has a lot of years to play USGA championships. I don’t think he’s going to play in any 2026 USGA championship. If he ends up playing in USGA championships, great. But when I think of Tiger, my friend, that’s not really what’s important to me right now.”
Based on this update from a knowledgeable source in Whan, we might not see Woods back on the course in 2026.
Tiger Woods’ Return to Golf Still Unclear
GettyTiger Woods likely won’t tee it up in a major championship in 2026.
There haven’t been any official updates from Woods’ camp since the 15-time major champion entered a Swiss rehabilitation center stemming from his car accident on March 27 in Hobe Sound, Fla. Despite passing a breathalyzer test, Woods was charged with a DUI after he refused to give a urine sample. Authorities on the scene noted that Woods was visually impaired and had two white pills in his pocket, “identifying marks revealed to be Hydrocodone,” according to the arrest affidavit.
Following Woods’ arrest, a judge granted his request to seek treatment outside of the United States. According to the Daily Mail, Woods is undergoing psychological treatment at a 90-day rehab center in Zurich, Switzerland.
With everything going on in Woods’ life right now, golf isn’t at the forefront of his mind. His focus is on fixing his addiction issues so that he can live a healthier, safer life. Once that happens, Woods can start to think about playing competitive golf again.
When Could We See Woods Play His Next Major Championship?
Considering Woods is undergoing treatment at a three-month rehab facility in Europe, it would be a miracle if he returned to play in a major championship this year. He clearly won’t be in the field for the PGA Championship next week, and the U.S. Open in June and the Open Championship in July are also long shots.
If treatment goes well enough for Woods that he’s able to stay clean for the rest of the year, the 2027 Masters would be a realistic target for his return. That would give Woods more than enough time to repent and prove that reckless behavior is behind him.
Grim Tiger Woods Update Drops Ahead of U.S. Open