Tiger Woods' Comeback Delayed Until 2026: McIlroy's Insight and Golf's Future

McIlroy's Perspective on Woods' Comeback

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has expressed doubts about Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf before 2026. Woods, a 15-time major champion, recently underwent surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, adding to his long list of injuries. McIlroy, who co-founded the Tomorrow's Golf League (TGL) with Woods, shared his thoughts on the matter.

"It sucks," McIlroy said. "He doesn't have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Achilles surgeries obviously aren't fun. [I'm] hoping he's in good spirits and hoping he's doing OK. We obviously won't see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026."

McIlroy's Own Career Plans

McIlroy, who has been largely injury-free since 2015, also discussed his own career plans. The 35-year-old golfer intends to retire while he still has "a little bit left in the tank."

"I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes, so whenever I feel like the time is right, I'll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing," McIlroy said. "When I've achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don't think I can maybe do that any more. I don't want to be out there embarrassing myself. I'd like to walk away maybe a little before I should."

Recent Performances and Future Prospects

McIlroy won his 27th PGA Tour title at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month. However, his recent performances at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational have been less stellar.

"The two finishes post-Pebble have been almost like the worst that they could be," McIlroy admitted. "I finished bad on Sunday at Bay Hill. I finished bad on Sunday at Torrey Pines as well. But the one thing I would say is from the turnaround in my putting from Torrey to Bay Hill was great. I finished fifth in putting last week, so to see that turnaround was really encouraging."

The Players Championship 2025

McIlroy, who won the Players Championship in 2019, is set to tee off alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler and world number three Xander Schauffele at 17:29 GMT on Thursday. The tournament, held at TPC Sawgrass, promises to be a thrilling event for golf fans worldwide.

Conclusion

As the golf world eagerly awaits Tiger Woods' potential comeback, Rory McIlroy continues to focus on his own career, aiming to leave the sport on his own terms. The Players Championship 2025 will be a key event to watch, with top players vying for the prestigious title.