The 15-time major champion had been expected to feature at Scioto Country Club, but his latest move leaves fresh questions about his playing future.
Tiger Woods will not make his debut in the U.S. Senior Open next week, with the 15-time major champion opting to continue his recovery away from competitive golf.
The championship, which begins on July 2 at Scioto Country Club in Ohio, had been expected to mark Woods’ first appearance in one of senior golf’s biggest events after he registered to play earlier this season.
However, those plans changed following a difficult spring for the former world number one.
Woods was involved in a car crash before being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Florida on March 27.
In the weeks that followed, Woods revealed he would be stepping away from the game to focus on his health.
He subsequently underwent treatment at a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland and has only recently returned to the United States.
The 50-year-old made his first public appearance since completing treatment earlier this week, speaking briefly to reporters before introducing PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp during the announcement of the Tour’s new structure for 2028.
The changes will see the creation of a two-tier system featuring a Championship Series and Challenger Series.
WATCH: Golf legend Tiger Woods makes his first public appearance since his March DUI arrest and trip to a rehab clinic. The PGA Tour approves a two-tiered system in 2028 with expanded fields. #TigerWoods #PGA #Travelers #Golf @LAFirstNews pic.twitter.com/VQF4Nigzkz
— John Walton (@John_Walton_) June 23, 2026
For now, though, Woods’ attention remains firmly on his recovery rather than a return to tournament golf.
Woods’ last competitive appearance came with a missed cut at The Open in July 2024 at Royal Troon.
His absence from the 2026 U.S. Senior Open comes as he continues to recover from a number of physical issues that pre-dated his March incident, including the seventh back operation of his career, which he underwent last October.
Woods is one of several big names who will not tee it up in Upper Arlington next week.
Long-time rival Phil Mickelson is also absent from the field, while Bernhard Langer and John Daly will likewise sit out the championship.
Even without those star attractions, the U.S. Senior Open has assembled a strong field packed with proven winners.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington headlines the entries alongside four-time major champion Ernie Els, while former major winners Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Angel Cabrera and Lee Janzen are all set to compete.
Gene Sauers, who lifted the trophy when the championship was last staged at Scioto in 2016, also returns to familiar surroundings.
The depth of talent extends throughout the field.
Former major champions Davis Love III, Stewart Cink, Justin Leonard, Darren Clarke, Henrik Stenson, Mike Weir, David Toms, Mark Calcavecchia, Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel and Michael Campbell are among those chasing one of senior golf’s most prestigious titles.
Scioto Country Club is one of America’s most historic venues, with the club celebrating its 110th anniversary.
The venue has played host to some of the sport’s biggest events over the last century, including the 1926 U.S. Open, the 1931 Ryder Cup and the 1950 PGA Championship.
A full field of 156 players will compete for the title, with one place still available to the winner of this week’s Dick’s Open.
Following the first two rounds, only the top 60 players and ties will advance to the weekend.
The eventual champion will take home $800,000 from a total prize fund of $4 million.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com