Tiger Woods is back playing competitive golf but still cannot say whether his body will hold together long enough to tee it up at Augusta National next month.

The 50-year-old played in the TGL championship final for Jupiter Links on Tuesday night, his first competitive appearance since rupturing his left Achilles tendon in March 2025.

His side lost 9-2 to Los Angeles Golf Club in just 10 holes, and when pressed on the Masters - which begins April 9 - Woods offered no commitments. "I want to play. I love the tournament. We'll see how it goes. I'll be practicing, playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress," he said.

A Long Road Back to Augusta

The TGL appearance came at the end of a punishing 12 months for Woods. He ruptured his left Achilles while training in early 2025, missing the entire season, and then underwent a seventh back surgery - a lumbar disc replacement - in October 2025 while still deep in Achilles rehabilitation.

He replaced Kevin Kisner in the Jupiter Links lineup for the final, competing alongside Tom Kim and Max Homa.

There were encouraging signs early on. Woods opened with a birdie from a 272-yard three-wood approach and Jupiter Links built a 2-0 lead. But Los Angeles stormed back, won five consecutive holes, and then made three straight eagles to close the match out in just 10 holes - a run of scoring that turned a competitive contest into a comprehensive defeat.

A missed 3-foot putt on the seventh hole proved the turning point. Woods slammed his putter to the turf in frustration. Asked about his recovery timeline, he was candid about what time has taken from him: "This body... it doesn't recover like it did when it was 24, 25."

Woods confirmed he will be present at Augusta regardless of whether he competes, with involvement in "The Loop" and the Champions Dinner already confirmed. For those looking to bet on the Masters, his participation status will be one of the key storylines to monitor.

Houston Open Opens the Final Masters Qualifying Window

The Texas Children's Houston Open, which got under way Thursday at Memorial Park in Houston, is the final full PGA Tour event before Masters field invitations are locked in. The four-round tournament runs through Sunday, March 29, with opening tee times starting from around 11:20 PM AEDT Thursday night.

For players chasing Masters spots through world rankings or FedEx Cup standings, this week is the last genuine opportunity to secure a place at Augusta. Woods, as a past champion, holds a lifetime exemption and does not need to qualify - his participation at Augusta rests solely on physical readiness. Those wanting to understand how to bet on golf should note that exemption categories can significantly impact field strength at major championships.

The PGA of America is also awaiting his decision on whether to accept the 2027 Ryder Cup betting captaincy, with a response expected by the end of March - another signal that his role in the game's future is being planned around him whether or not he plays.

A decision on Augusta is expected in the days immediately before the tournament opens, with the Masters first round getting under way from around 10:00 PM AEST on Thursday, April 9.