Let's Set Odds: When Will Tiger Woods Return to PGA Tour?

Tiger Woods has talked to the media for the first time in nine months this week, as he prepares to host the Hero World Challenge.

Tiger's recently released footage of him swinging a golf club again, which is a good sign considering how serious the car accident was that he was involved in just nine months ago.

With the footage being released, the top question on almost everyone's mind was when/if Tiger Woods will return to action. By the sounds of things, Woods plans on competing again at some point, but it won't be in the same capacity.

It sounds like Tiger will play again at some point, but he doesn't seem optimistic about being able to win or compete at the highest level. Given the accident, golf fans will be happy just to see him back on the course.

So when will he make his first start in a PGA Tour event? There's no odds that you can bet on, so I decided to make his own.

Odds for When Tiger Woods Will Return to the PGA Tour

2022 Masters +2000

This is the most optimistic, but unlikely outcome. For Tiger Woods to get all the way back to strong enough form to compete at the 2022 Masters, which is five months away, would take a damn near miracle.

Tiger has become synonymous with the Masters, and he'll likely play in the tournament again at some point, but the 2022 edition is a little bit too soon.

2022 PGA Championship +1900

If Tiger isn't ready to compete by the Masters, there's no way that he's going to push himself to compete in the PGA Championship which is only a month after the Masters, especially given that it's the most irrelevant major of the four.

2022 Memorial Tournament +1500

A June return could be enough time for Tiger to return to enough strength to play. The Memorial Tournament is one of the favorite events among PGA Tour members, and it's hosted at the legendary Muirfield Village Golf Club. If he plans on playing at the US Open, he may use the Memorial as a warm-up event.

2022 US Open +1200

I think the June US Open is still early for a Tiger return, but he has already said he's going to pick and choose events when he returns. That sounds to me like he's going to focus on majors, and other big tournaments.

2022 Open Championship +900

The longer we wait, the more likely that Tiger will return. The Open Championship is the only tournament at WynnBET that the oddsmakers have odds set for Tiger. You can bet on Tiger to win the 2022 Open Championship at +3300 (bet $100 to profit $3,300).

Zozo Championship +500

I don't think Tiger Woods is going to return to action in the 2021-22 PGA Tour season. The injuries he has to overcome are extremely serious, and I assume he's going to take his time in rehabbing his body given how much physical strain a four round tournament can cause on the body.

The Zozo championship is one of the first events of the following season, set to take place in October of 2022. Woods won the inaugural event in 2019, and we know that he loves to play in Japan. It would serve as the perfect event for his return.

Hero World Challenge +350

The Hero World Challenge is set to take place this week, but I'm talking about him playing in the 2022 edition of the event. It's his own tournament, so returning to play at an event that he hosts makes too much sense. With the event being held in November, I think it will be enough time for him to get ready to return to action.

This was also the event that Tiger Woods made first return from major back surgery back in 2017.

2023 Masters +200

Let's be honest, the Masters is the tournament that Tiger views as the most prestigious, and for good reason. He's won it five different times, and his legendary win in 2019 will go down in golf history. If it's going to take him longer than a full year to return to competitive shape, him returning at the Masters would be a storybook ending. There's no chance, in my opinion, he returns at the 2022 Masters, but the year after seems like the most likable probability.