Tiger Woods hits balls at Liberty National in first public return since Achilles surgery
Woods, 49, was seen taking swings during the NEXUS Cup and attended the opening of a TGR Foundation learning lab; no timetable announced for a competitive comeback.
Tiger Woods made a public return to the practice range this week, taking swings at Liberty National in New Jersey for the first time since undergoing surgery in March to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The 49-year-old, who was on site for the NEXUS Cup — an amateur match-play event he hosts — was recorded hitting shots from a tee that overlooks the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. Video shared on social media showed Woods using a shorter-range club and did not show any obvious signs of discomfort.
Fans reacted quickly on social media, with some posting brief exclamations of excitement. "Omg omg," one user wrote, while another called the recovery "super-fast" and praised Woods's will. "Tiger looks great!!" read a separate comment.
Woods also made an appearance in Philadelphia this week to cut the ribbon on a new learning lab established by his TGR Foundation. The facility, opened at a golf center, is aimed at providing local students from first through 12th grade with access to educational tools covering science, technology, engineering and related subjects. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was among those present for the ribbon-cutting.
The practice-range footage represents the clearest sign to date that Woods has resumed on-course activity since the March operation to repair the ruptured Achilles tendon. The former world No. 1 has faced a string of physical setbacks in recent years, including spinal fusion surgery last year and a serious car crash in February 2021 that limited his competitive schedule. He has appeared in just 11 official events since that crash.
Woods has not played in an official event since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he missed the cut. He is currently listed outside the top 1,800 in the world rankings. As a five-time Masters champion, Woods would be eligible for Augusta should he choose to enter; commentators and some fans have suggested the 2026 Masters, roughly 13 months after his March surgery, as a potential target, though no return date has been announced by Woods or his representatives.
Tournament organizers and Woods's team have not provided a timetable for a competitive comeback. In recent public remarks and appearances, Woods has repeatedly emphasized his interest in supporting the next generation of golfers through his foundation and related facilities while continuing rehabilitation.
Woods's movements will be watched closely by fans, sponsors and tournament officials as he progresses through recovery. Any formal decision about playing in PGA Tour events, major championships or other competitions would normally be communicated through his management or official channels.