Donald Trump hints Tiger Woods unlikely for Masters as speculation continues

Now 50, Woods has been working to overcome persistent physical setbacks in a bid to tee it up at Augusta next month. With the tournament set to begin on Thursday, April 9, time is running short for the 15-time major champion, who has not played in a major since The Open in 2024.

He did make a return to action this week in TGL - his first competitive outing in over a year - but his Jupiter Links team suffered a heavy defeat to Los Angeles Golf Club.

Trump, however, indicated that Woods will not be part of the playing field.

While he did not disclose how he reached that conclusion, the two share a personal link through Woods' relationship with Vanessa Trump, the president's former daughter-in-law.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said: "I love Tiger, but he won't be there. He'll be there, but he won't be playing in it."

Woods has yet to officially confirm his status for the Masters, though his profile on the tournament's official website still lists him among the expected competitors. What is certain is that he plans to be at Augusta in some capacity, including attending the traditional Champions Dinner.

"I've been trying. It's just this body doesn't recover like when I was 24, 25. It doesn't mean I'm not trying - I've been trying for a while," he said this week.

"I've had a couple of back injuries the past year that I've had to fight through and it's taken some time. But I keep trying.

"I want to play, I've loved the tournament, I've loved being there since I was 19 years old. So it's meant a lot to me and my family over the years and I'm going to be there either way."

Asked if it will be a late decision, Woods replied: "I don't know, we'll see how it goes. I'll be practicing playing at home this week and keep trying to make progress."