Tiger Woods registers for U.S. Senior Open in July

It's unclear if the 15-time major champion will actually compete in the tournament.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:10am

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Tiger Woods has officially entered the 46th U.S. Senior Open in early July, though a USGA spokesperson said the 50-year-old golf legend has not yet decided if he will actually compete in the tournament. Woods' availability for the upcoming Masters in April is also in question due to ongoing health concerns, with former President Donald Trump speculating that Woods will attend but not play at Augusta National.

Why it matters

Woods' potential participation in the U.S. Senior Open and the Masters would be major events for the sport of golf, as the 82-time PGA Tour winner and 15-time major champion remains one of the most iconic and influential figures in the game. His health status and future playing plans continue to be closely watched by golf fans around the world.

The details

A USGA spokesperson said Woods has entered the U.S. Senior Open 'simply to ensure eligibility, but will not make a decision about playing until a later date.' Woods has not played in an official event since July 2024, though he recently participated in the final for TGL, a new 3-on-3 indoor golf league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy. Former President Donald Trump told Fox News that he believes Woods will attend but not play in the upcoming Masters tournament in April, though it's unclear what led him to that conclusion.

  • The U.S. Senior Open is set for July 2-5, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
  • The 2026 Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 9-12.

The players

Tiger Woods

An 82-time winner on the PGA Tour and 15-time major champion, considered one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who speculated on Tiger Woods' potential participation in the 2026 Masters Tournament.

Rory McIlroy

A professional golfer who co-founded the TGL indoor golf league with Tiger Woods.

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What they’re saying

“Tiger has entered the championship, simply to ensure eligibility, but will not make a decision about playing until a later date.”

— USGA spokesperson

“He will be there, but he won't be playing in it.”

— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States

What’s next

Woods will likely make a decision on whether to compete in the U.S. Senior Open closer to the July tournament date. His status for the 2026 Masters in April also remains uncertain as he continues to manage his ongoing health concerns.

The takeaway

Tiger Woods' potential return to major championship golf, even in a senior event, would be a significant moment for the sport and its fans. However, the 50-year-old's health issues continue to create uncertainty around his future playing plans, underscoring the challenges he has faced in the latter stages of his legendary career.