Tiger Woods Expected to Play TGL Opener Dec. 27 After DUI Plea

Tiger Woods is expected to make his return to competitive golf at the TGL league opener on Dec. 27, according to ESPN ^[2]. The 15-time major winner is slated to play for the Jupiter Links Golf Club, the team he captains, when they face Los Angeles Golf Club in a rematch of last season’s finals. This match will serve as the second game of the league's opening-day doubleheader, broadcast on ABC.

This anticipated appearance follows a period of legal and physical challenges for Woods, 50, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI in March. The New York Post reported ^[1] that Woods entered a plea of no contest to misdemeanor counts involving reckless driving and declining to submit to a lawful test. As part of the plea deal, his driver’s license was suspended for five years. He subsequently stepped away from golf to enter treatment, reportedly in Switzerland.

Woods’ last competitive outing occurred during the 2026 TGL season, where he played in only one match following back surgery. That single appearance ended in a loss that allowed Los Angeles Golf Club to win the SoFi Cup. Prior to that, his final PGA Tour event was the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he missed the cut.

ESPN sources ^[2] noted that Woods has not formally committed to playing, but he is expected to compete barring any further physical setbacks. Kevin Kisner, a PGA Tour golfer and analyst, told the "Fore Play" podcast last week that Woods planned to play a full schedule in the indoor league this season. Kisner’s comments align with reports from the New York Post ^[1] that Woods is preparing for a return to the course.

Fans are also awaiting confirmation on whether Woods will compete in the Hero World Challenge, hosted by Woods in the Bahamas from Dec. 3 to 6. According to ESPN ^[2], three spots remain open in the 20-man field. Additionally, Woods could potentially join his son Charlie for the PNC Championship in Orlando from Dec. 17 to 20. This event allows players to use carts, a detail relevant given Woods’ recent surgery history.

The TGL’s third season features an expanded roster, including Brooks Koepka and Jackson Koivun making their debuts. Koepka will play for Motor City Golf Club, facing Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf in the opening match. All TGL matches will be aired on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. The New York Post ^[1] highlighted that this would potentially mark the first competitive match for Woods since the DUI incident, signaling a significant moment in his career trajectory.