Tiger Woods Slams Putter After Missing Key Putt in TGL Finals

The golf legend's return to competition raises questions about his Masters chances.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:05am

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Tiger Woods made his return to competitive golf in the TGL championship match, but struggled mightily, missing a short putt and slamming his putter in frustration as his team, the Jupiter Links, fell 9-2 to the Los Angeles Golf Club. While Woods generated good ball speed on his drives and felt fine physically, the missed putt highlighted how rusty and unpredictable his game remains after a 20-month layoff.

Why it matters

Woods' performance in the TGL finals has major implications for his potential return to the Masters tournament, which golf fans and TV executives have been eagerly awaiting. The missed putt and outburst of frustration demonstrate how far Woods still has to go before being able to contend at the highest levels of golf.

The details

In the must-win match for the Jupiter Links, Woods missed an approximately four-foot putt, allowing the Los Angeles Golf Club to take the lead, which they did not relinquish. Woods' team went on to lose the match 9-2. While Woods generated good ball speed and felt healthy, the missed putt was a stark reminder of how rusty his game remains after such a long layoff from competitive golf.

  • Woods' last competitive golf appearance was in July 2024.
  • The TGL championship match took place on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.

The players

Tiger Woods

A 15-time major champion and one of the greatest golfers of all time, Woods is attempting a comeback to competitive golf after a 20-month layoff.

Jupiter Links

The golf team that Woods was playing for in the TGL championship match.

Los Angeles Golf Club

The opposing team that defeated Woods' Jupiter Links squad 9-2 in the TGL finals.

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What’s next

The golf world will be closely watching to see if Woods can continue to make progress in his comeback and potentially earn a spot in the 2026 Masters tournament.

The takeaway

Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf, while an important milestone, has highlighted just how far he still has to go to regain his championship form. The missed putt and outburst of frustration in the TGL finals raise serious questions about his chances of contending at the Masters in the near future.