If you look across different sports, there will always be parallels present. Just look at LeBron James and how he entered his 22nd season in the NBA, facing repeated questions about his longevity. At 40, the four-time champion continues to defy physical limitations while critics wonder when the inevitable decline will arrive. In golf, a similar narrative surrounds the 82x PGA Tour events winner, attempting to extend his legendary career against mounting physical challenges, even as his son takes his own steps in the game. And of course, critics have a word or two to say about that.
According to reports from the Seminole Pro-Member event earlier this week, Tiger Woods appears to be physically back on track. This marks a significant development in Woods’ recovery journey following his September 2024 microdecompression surgery on the lumbar spine, which addressed nerve impingement and chronic back spasms that plagued his 2024 season.
NBC golf analyst and 8x PGA Tour winner Brad Faxon painted a nuanced picture of Tiger Woods’ potential comeback during a recent appearance on TSN’s OverDrive, which has golf fans buzzing with anticipation. “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,” Faxon revealed, citing a caddie’s firsthand account from the Seminole Pro-Member event. Yet, this physical progress comes with a critical caveat.
#NEW: Brad Faxon says a caddie told him about Tiger’s game at Seminole on Monday: “Tiger drove it out there with Keegan on every shot. He walked all 18 holes there was not even a limp. He’s certainly in condition to play…. “Hopefully for us at NBC and all fans he plays… pic.twitter.com/7SBNdBmv2I
— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) March 7, 2025
“Tiger’s walking without that pronounced limp we saw at St. Andrews in ’24,” Faxon explained, “but lack of tournament golf will hurt his chances at the Masters. He needs to get his feet wet.” The analyst’s message was crystal clear: physical recovery is only part of the equation. Tournament sharpness remains a significant challenge for Woods. “He’s certainly in condition to play,” Faxon noted. However, the emphasis remained on the critical need for competitive preparation.
Since Woods has a history of not missing the Seminole Pro-Member event in the past, this year was no different. He pegged it up with Seth Waugh, while Rory Mcllroy played alongside his dad, Gerry. However, the Irishman fared better earlier in the day, finishing 13th in the Gross event and tied-16th in the Net score.
On the other hand, Woods and Waugh finished at the bottom end of the lot in the Gross, carding 71 to tie for 54th in the 94-team, 18-hole showdown. Some sort of saving grace for them came in the Net leaderboard, where they finished in a tie for 25th. “The clock’s ticking on how many competitive reps he can handle,” he warned, underlining the narrow window for Woods’ potential Masters comeback.
Compounding his physical considerations are emotional ones, as Woods continues to grieve his mother’s February passing, he recently admitted that he has only picked up a golf club three times since her passing, stating, “My heart is really not into practicing right now.” Without tournament play since July 2024, when he missed the cut at The Open Championship, Woods faces the daunting challenge of competing at Augusta National, potentially cold.
With only three limited opportunities remaining before The Masters, and if Woods were to listen to Faxon’s advice, we could be in for a treat watching the legend teeing off at the Players Championship (March 14-17) or the Valspar Championship (March 20-23).
Looking at the 49-year-old’s past comebacks provides a valuable context for why Faxon’s warning deserves serious consideration.
History suggests warm-up events are crucial for Tiger Woods’ success
Woods’ comeback history reveals a clear pattern: preparation matters. His iconic 2019 Masters victory came after a strong T10 finish at the 2017 Hero Challenge, and subsequent tournament appearances only rebuilt his competitive edge. Contrast this with his 47th-place finish at the 2022 Masters following a 14-month layoff after his car crash, and the evidence becomes compelling.
The 15-time major champion has proven his ability to overcome physical limitations before. His legendary 2008 US Open victory came while battling knee surgery and stress fractures. His 2019 Masters win followed multiple back surgeries, including spinal fusion.
Back on the story of Woods’ comeback, his promising physical developments coincide with his son Charlie Woods‘ continued development on the junior circuit. The 16-year-old is preparing for the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley (March 19-22), a high-profile event near Augusta National featuring elite junior talent like Miles Russell. This comes after a challenging outing at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, where he missed the cut following rounds of 77 and 82.
With limited opportunities remaining before The Masters, Tiger Woods’ decision is on the line. Will he heed Faxon’s warning and seek tournament preparation or attempt another miraculous major return without warm-up events?
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