Tiger Woods will miss all four men's major championships for the second consecutive year after reports confirmed the 15-time major champion did not enter next month's Open Championship before the closing deadline for entries. According to reports from Sports Illustrated and ESPN, Woods also does not hold an exemption for the upcoming US Open at Shinnecock Hills, ensuring his absence from all four majors during the 2026 season. The four men's major championships in professional golf are The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship.
This marks the second straight season in which Woods has failed to appear at any major tournament after also missing the entire 2025 major calendar while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in March last year. Woods, now 50, has not played an official competitive round since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Injury setbacks and legal troubles disrupted comeback hopes
Following a disc replacement procedure in October, which represented the seventh back surgery of his career, Woods had initially expressed hope of returning to competitive golf during the 2026 season. There had been expectations that he might attempt a comeback around The Masters earlier this year before events away from golf dramatically changed those plans.
On March 27, Woods was involved in a car accident near his home in Jupiter, Florida, and was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after reportedly failing a sobriety test and refusing to provide a urine sample. Reports stated that two hydrocodone pills were also found in his pocket at the scene. Woods later pleaded not guilty to charges involving driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
On May 12, a judge overseeing the case ruled that prosecutors could gain access to Woods' medication records despite objections from his legal team, who argued the records should remain private. Although the judge approved a protective order limiting broader access to those records, the ruling represented another significant development in the ongoing case.
Soon after the March incident, Woods announced he would temporarily step away from golf and public duties to focus on treatment and recovery. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," Woods said in a statement released through his social media accounts earlier this year. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery. I'm committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."
Woods also stepped away from his responsibilities on the PGA Tour Policy Board and the Future Competition Committee while withdrawing his name from consideration for the United States Ryder Cup captaincy, which was later awarded to Jim Furyk.
Switzerland treatment programme continues amid prolonged absence
On April 1, a Martin County court judge granted Woods permission to travel to Switzerland for medical treatment away from public and media scrutiny. Woods reportedly remained in Switzerland for several weeks before reports emerged last week suggesting he had briefly returned to Florida. Speculation later surfaced that Woods returned partly to support girlfriend Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump. However, flight trackers reportedly showed Woods' private plane travelling back to Switzerland over the weekend, with reports suggesting he resumed what has been described as a three-month treatment programme. Outside of a Memorial Day message posted on social media, Woods has not spoken publicly since announcing his decision to step away earlier this year.
Woods approaching two full years without competitive golf
The latest absence means Woods is now approaching two full years without participating in official tournament golf. Before missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, Woods competed only four times during that season. He withdrew from the Genesis Invitational because of illness, finished 60th at The Masters and then missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and US Open. Since suffering severe injuries to his lower right leg during the serious 2021 car crash in California, Woods has competed in only eight major championships.
During that stretch, he missed the cut in four majors and withdrew from another event. His most recent made cut at a major came during the 2024 Masters, where he finished in solo 60th place. Woods' last top-10 finish at a major also remains his historic 2019 Masters victory, when he captured the fifth green jacket of his career at age 43 in one of the most celebrated comeback victories in golf history. That triumph also represented his 15th major championship title, leaving him second behind only Jack Nicklaus' record total of 18 majors.
Open Championship and Masters remain Woods' only future exemptions
Although Woods no longer holds automatic entry into the US Open or PGA Championship, he still retains future exemptions into two major tournaments. Masters champions receive lifetime invitations to Augusta National provided they remain capable of competing, while former Open Championship winners remain exempt until the age of 60. Woods won The Open Championship three times during his career in 2000, 2005 and 2006. He also remains tied with Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour victories in history with 82 career titles. The 2026 Open Championship will take place at Royal Birkdale in July, while the US Open is scheduled to be held at Shinnecock Hills next month.
