Tiger Woods’ 2024 schedule: How icon’s comeback may shape up after Hero World Challenge
Tiger Woods successfully completed his return to golf on Sunday when he finished even par at his own Hero World Challenge event in the Bahamas. The 15-time major champion came 18th out of a field of 20 but would have just been relieved to have completed his first event since The Masters at Augusta National back in April, following ankle surgery.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was the eventual champion finishing 20 under par through 72 holes, further cementing his current standing at the pinnacle of the game.
But Woods was “ecstatic” to be back competing again, although he admitted that he still needs to get into better shape.
He told the Golf Channel: “I feel like my game’s not that far off but I need to get in better shape. I don’t have the bone pain that I did, but I still have to go through with the same protocols. It takes a long time, that’s the unfortunate thing about ageing.”
Woods will make his next appearance at PNC Championship – formerly the Father/Son Challenge – on December 14 alongside his son Charlie.
From thereon in, the former world No. 1 is planning to play one tournament a month. He said: “Once a month seems reasonable. It gives me a couple of weeks to recover and a week to tune up. Maybe I can get into the rhythm.”
Woods’ unmatchable standing in the game gives him the luxury of being able to pick and choose his events, including the Majors which he would receive invitations for automatically as a former winner of all four tournaments.
Express Sport has taken a look at which events he is likely to play in next year.
February features a handful of popular PGA Tour events including the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genisis Invitational and Riviera Country Club, but Tiger may likely appear at the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale from February 8-11, where the bumper crowds create a unique atmosphere and the presence of Woods will take things to another level. Expect utter bedlam if he gets an ace on the now-infamous 16th hole, just like he did in 1997.
In March he will almost certainly turn out at The Players’ Championship at Sawgrass on March 14-17 – a tournament that is often referred to as the ‘fifth Major’.
April 11 sees the start of Major season and injury-permitting there can be no doubt that Woods will be part of the field that participates at Augusta National for The Masters. He is a five-time Green Jacket champion after all.
The PGA Championship will be held at Valhalla Golf Club on May 16-19, so we can expect to see Woods in Kentucky for the second Major of the year before he returns for the US Open at the Pinehurst Resort on June 13-16.
