What’s Next For Tiger Woods? Return Unclear After 2015 Masters

Tiger Woods played competitive golf for the first time in two months, tying for 17th place at the 2015 Masters. Coming off his break to play in the year’s first major tournament, it could be some time before the 39-year-old tries to win another championship.

Woods told CBS in a TV interview that he still wants to work on his game, and he needs to “go back to the drawing board” when he gets home. As for the next tournament he plans to compete in, Woods did not give a specific answer.

“It’s not going to be for a while,” Woods said on Sunday.

Having last been seen when he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open on Feb. 5, Woods had his moments at Augusta. After struggling with his short game on Thursday and shooting a 73, he found his rhythm on Friday and Saturday, shooting a combined seven-under par. Woods entered Sunday tied for fifth place with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.

“Considering where I was at Torrey Pines and Phoenix [in February], to make a complete swing change and rectify all the faults and to come here to a major championship and compete, I’m proud of that part of it,’’ Woods said. “I just wish I could have made a few more putts to move up the board.’’

The tournament didn’t end the way Woods had hoped. He suffered an injury on the ninth hole in the final round, hurting his wrist when his club hit a tree root. According to Woods, a bone temporarily popped out of his joint, though he put it back in place. He went on to finish the round and shoot a 73.

“I didn’t know there was a tree root there,” Woods said. I drove my hand or drove the club straight into it. It didn’t move. But my body kept moving. I told [TV] there that there was a little joint that popped out and I was able to somehow put it back in, which didn’t feel very good, but at least it got back in and I could move my hand again.”

If Woods doesn’t plan on returning until the next major championship, he’ll be able to take another two months off. The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 18 at Chambers Bay in Washington. Even if he doesn’t enter another tournament until the Players Championship, he’ll get another three and a half weeks to work on his game.

During his surge on Saturday, Woods was never really in contention to win the Masters. Jordan Spieth ran away with the championship, shooting 18-under par over the four days. Only Woods won the Masters at a younger age. He still holds the record for margin of victory, winning the green jacket by 12 strokes in 1997.