Woods Returns to Competition in TGL Finals, But Los Angeles GC Claims Championship

Tiger Woods made his return to competitive golf in the TGL SoFi Cup finals Tuesday night, but his Jupiter Links team fell 9-2 to Los Angeles GC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The match ended quickly, preventing Woods from participating in the singles portion of the competition.

Tiger Woods stepped back into competitive golf Tuesday evening, though his comeback was brief during the TGL SoFi Cup championship match in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The golf legend participated in the finals for Jupiter Links, but his team suffered a decisive 9-2 defeat to Los Angeles GC. The contest concluded in approximately 90 minutes, ending so quickly that Woods never had the opportunity to participate in the singles competition.

Reflecting on the outcome, Woods candidly stated they got “our (butts) kicked in the end.”

“They steamrolled us in the end, but it’s good to be back,” Woods commented after the match.

This marked Woods’ first competitive appearance since February 2025 during TGL’s debut season. The 50-year-old golfer is roughly six months into recovery from lumbar disk replacement surgery performed last fall, following an earlier Achilles rupture operation. His last regular tournament participation was at the 2024 Open Championship.

Whether Woods will participate in next month’s Masters tournament remains uncertain.

The five-time Masters winner began Tuesday’s competition with a putt from approximately 25 feet that fell short of the target. Shortly afterward, he helped secure his team’s initial point with a 3-wood shot measuring 272 virtual yards, positioning Jupiter Links for a scoring opportunity.

Woods displayed elements reminiscent of his prime years, sporting his signature red shirt while close-up cameras captured perspiration on his face. His intense focus and stern expression recalled the concentration that characterized many of his greatest performances.

However, he also missed a crucial short putt, striking his putter against the ball after it rimmed out. This mistake caused Jupiter Links to trail 3-2 for the first time during the match.

Serving as Jupiter Links captain, Woods competed in the second match of the best-of-three finals held on the Palm Beach State College campus.

“I’ve been a cheerleader all these matches, and I want to contribute,” he stated before the competition began.

Woods joined teammates Max Homa and Tom Kim, taking Kevin Kisner’s spot in the lineup. Their opponents included Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sahith Theegala.

Los Angeles GC had already secured Monday’s opening match. Tuesday’s victory in the second match eliminated the need for a deciding third contest.

Last year’s inaugural TGL finals saw Atlanta Drive GC sweep New York Golf Club 2-0.