The sports world is abuzz with parallels drawn between Tiger Woods and LeBron James as both sporting legends grapple with questions surrounding their career longevity. As the 82-time PGA Tour winner, Woods, aged 40, persists in extending his legendary career, he faces mounting physical challenges and critics questioning his future, much like James in his 22nd NBA season.
Earlier this week, reports from the Seminole Pro-Member event suggested that Woods is physically back in the game, marking a significant milestone in his recovery process. In September 2024, he underwent microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine to address nerve impingement and chronic back spasms disrupting his season.
This news has ignited anticipation among golf fans, thanks to the insights provided by NBC golf analyst and 8-time PGA Tour winner, Brad Faxon. During a recent interview on TSN’s OverDrive, Faxon shared his insights into Woods’ potential comeback. Drawing from a caddie’s firsthand account from the Seminole Pro-Member event, Faxon said, “Tiger drove it out there with Keegan on every shot. He walked all 18 holes. He’s certainly in condition to play… Hopefully, for us at NBC and all fans, he plays the PLAYERS championship.”
However, Faxon also cautions that while Woods might be physically ready, he still lacks tournament golf, which could affect his chances at the Masters. “He needs to get his feet wet,” Faxon emphasised, underlining the importance of competitive preparation.
Woods, who traditionally doesn’t miss the Seminole Pro-Member event, played alongside Seth Waugh this year. They finished at the lower end of the Gross leaderboard, tying for 54th place in the 94-team, 18-hole showdown, though they fared better in the Net leaderboard, finishing tied for 25th. Faxon warned of the narrowing window for Woods’ potential Masters comeback, stating, “The clock’s ticking on how many competitive reps he can handle.”
Woods also faces emotional challenges following his mother’s passing in February. He confessed that he has only picked up a golf club three times since then, saying, “My heart is really not into practicing right now.” With no tournament play since July 2024, when he missed the cut at The Open Championship, Woods stands at a critical juncture for the Augusta National.
If Woods takes Faxon’s advice to heart, golf enthusiasts might get to see the legend in action at the upcoming Players Championship (March 14-17) or the Valspar Championship (March 20-23).
Woods’ past comebacks serve as an important context to Faxon’s warning. History shows that warm-up events have been pivotal to Woods’ success. His iconic 2019 Masters victory was preceded by a strong T10 finish at the 2017 Hero Challenge. In contrast, his 47th-place finish at the 2022 Masters followed a 14-month layoff after his car crash.
Despite his physical limitations, Woods has repeatedly proven his resilience. His legendary 2008 US Open victory occurred amidst a battle with knee surgery and stress fractures, while his 2019 Masters win followed multiple back surgeries, including spinal fusion.
As Woods contemplates his comeback, his son Charlie Woods is steadily advancing on the junior circuit. The 16-year-old is gearing up for the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley (March 19-22), following a challenging performance at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship.
With limited opportunities before The Masters, Woods’ decision remains hanging in the balance. Will he heed Faxon’s advice and opt for tournament preparation, or will he attempt another miraculous major return without any warm-up events? Only time will tell.
