Tiger Woods’ timetable, Scottie Scheffler’s Grand Slam pursuit among PGA Tour storylines in 2026

ORLANDO, Fla. — The PGA Tour returns to action Thursday in Hawaii during the Sony Open, likely for the final time as professional golf enters a new era.

Here are five storylines to watch in 2026:

When will Woods next tee it up?

Hall of Famer Tiger Woods turned 50 on Dec. 30, fewer than three months removed from a seventh back surgery that cast increasing doubt on Woods’ future in competitive golf. The latest procedure, coming on the heels of Achilles tendon surgery in March, left the Hero Challenge without its host and and December’s PNC Championship without its star attraction — a year after he and son Charlie finished runners-up during their fifth appearance at the popular event in Orlando. Hopes the 82-time winner would energize the Champions Tour also took a major hit. The ability of Woods, now eligible for senior circuit at age 50, to use a cart and enter some 54-hole events won’t provide a panacea for a body ravaged by repeated injuries and medical procedures. His last 72-hole tournament was the 2024 Open Championship. Woods said Tuesday ahead of a TGL match, he’s been cleared to hit short- and mid-irons. He will cautiously progress to hitting driver. A return at the Masters in three months is fantasy, early July’s U.S. Senior Open a possibility and the PNC Championship just before Christmas a likelihood, barring a setback. The golfer once able to overcome all odds facing his longest ones yet in 2026.

Does Scheffler complete the career Grand Slam?

A U.S. Open win in June at Shinnecock Hills would give Scottie Scheffler victories in all four major championships — something achieved by only six golfers. Even facing arguably golf’s toughest test and shouldering enormous expectations, few would bet against Scheffler. History might. Rory McIlroy’s Masters win last April completed the Slam, but marked his first major championship in 11 years. Additionally, back-to-back Slams happened just once. In 1965, Gary Player became the third player, joining Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, to complete the feat. Jack Nicklaus followed suit in 1966. Woods was the only player since then until McIlroy. At Shinnecock, Scheffler, 29, would further cement his place as an all-time great, though a Slam appears to be a matter of time for the undisputed world No. 1.

What’s with Brian Rolapp’s overhaul ?

The tour’s new CEO left the NFL after 22 years to carry professional golf from niche to mainstream. Similar to Rolapp’s NFL roots, the tour features parity, annually recycling roughly 30 of 100 players — down from 125. Otherwise, Rolapp aims to overhaul the sport. His 2027 schedule is supposed to consistently bring together the stars, make every event significant and elevate interest. Highlighting his plan, the tour could have as few as 20 tournaments and a post-Super Bowl start in fan-favorite Phoenix to kick off the season with a bang — similar to NASCAR’s season debut in Daytona. More clarity is essential during the FedEx Cup Playoffs, long plagued by ever-changing formats and host sites. Rolapp’s bold approach created waves this week when the tour reinstated LIV defector Brook Koepka, a five-time major winner and worldwide star. It’s just a start.

Are new stars on the horizon?

Ludvig Aberg headlines the next wave, but at 26, he has just two wins. Robert MacIntyre’s consistent play, highlighted U.S. Open runner-up to journeyman J.J. Spaun, positioned the 29-year-old Scot to break out. Ben Griffin, who initially became a mortgage loan officer after college, had a storybook season, but he could be a fluke. A host of young guns, including Akshay Bhatia, Pierceson Coody and Chris Gotterup, push to fill an increasing void, yet lack the name recognition of stars struggling with their games. Increasingly out of the Sunday mix are Jordan Spieth, winless since 2022, and Justin Thomas, who snapped a three-season drought in 2025. Patrick Cantlay, a perennial top-10 player, was searching in 2025, while Xander Schauffele battled injury after winning two majors in 2024. Hideki Matsuyama opened 2025 with a win, but failed to challenge in another a full-field event. Koepka could give the tour a needed Q-rating boost, will need help in ’26.

Will golf reunite more quickly than expected?

Koepka’s decision did not spur the exodus of fellow LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Each is under contract and proclaimed his allegiance Wednesday to the rival league that divided the sport after the 2021 season. Koepka’s move, though, created hope that two of golf’s biggest stars could find their way back to the tour as early as 2027. High-profile defectors, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, are in the twilight of their careers and unlikely to return. But Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton are world-class players with plenty of good years ahead. Patrick Reed can still draw a crowd, even if as PGA Tour villain. Koepka could become either a one-off or a hopeful sign of things to come.