Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesTiger Woods seemingly imminent return to golf was the story of the build-up to The Masters. The 15-time major winner and greatest golfer of all time was set to make a return from injury to play at Augusta National this year, but after his driving incident weeks before, he ruled himself out of competitive action for the foreseeable future.Its felt extremely unlikely that Woods plays competitively any time soon, but according to Ernie Els, hes been having conversations about a return to play, and is warming to the idea of playing outside of the main PGA Tour.Photo by Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty ImagesTiger Woods warming to playing on Champions Tour Woods recently had his 50th birthday, meaning hes now eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions if he wants to.In the past hes always sought a return to the main tour, as he still feels like he can compete in the biggest events against the best players. But according to four-time major winner Ernie Els, Woods has been warming to the idea of the Champions Tour in their recent conversations.Els was asked if he sees Woods joining the Champions Tour, and he replied, Hes always welcome; he knows that. We had the discussion about the Champions Tour, and he asked me about it, and he started warming to it.Hes a busy guy; hes got a lot of responsibility. Hes always been very busy, shifting around the last four or five years, a lot of stuff behind the scenes. Ill keep knocking on his door. I think this is the type of golf course that would really suit him.Woods, even at 50, is a needle mover wherever he plays, so watching him go up against his old rivals on the Champions Tour would be an incredible spectacle.But first he needs to return to full health, which is a tall task in itself.What Tiger Woods has said publicly about playing on the Champions TourWoods said that one of the biggest things affecting his return to golf is his inability to walk the golf courses. But luckily on the PGA Tour Champions, the use of golf carts is allowed.Thats why its an attractive prospect for Woods, who hasnt committed to playing the tour by any means, but has admitted its on his mind.Speaking at this years Genesis Invitational, he said, Ive had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so its challenging. And now I entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart.Thats something that, as I said, I wont do out here on this tour because I dont believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, thats certainly that opportunity.Its hard to picture Woods playing at a major championship any time soon, but the Champions Tour might be exactly the environment he needs to get back to full playing health.READ MORE: The reason Brandt Snedeker could decide to leave Jackson Koivun off his Presidents Cup team