Gary Player turns 90, Straka skips playoffs for family, and golf stars celebrate Halloween in style. The Back Nine.
The golf world is buzzing with anticipation: few phrases spark as much excitement as “Tiger Woods comeback!” Behind the scenes, PGA Tour Champions is already preparing for the possibility. “Yes, we’re ready. We’re well prepared,” said Miller Brady, president of the over-50 circuit, in an interview with Golf Channel. The team has spent a year planning for Woods’ potential debut in 2026.
Woods, a 15-time major winner, recently underwent his seventh back surgery, ruling him out of his own Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship. Even a Masters appearance in April is doubtful. But should he return, Woods could begin a new chapter in his legendary career when he turns 50 on December 30, 2025—making him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions. A likely debut? The 2026 U.S. Senior Open at Scioto in Ohio, where a young Jack Nicklaus once honed his game. Nicklaus himself said, “Tiger will play—and he will dominate. Not for the money, but for the competition.”
One key factor: carts are allowed on the senior tour, even during majors under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For Woods, whose body is a patchwork of surgeries and resilience, this could be a game-changer. The PGA Tour Champions, facing reduced funding from the PGA Tour, would certainly benefit from the attention and sponsorship Woods brings.
Family First: Straka Skips DP World Tour Playoffs
Sepp Straka has opted out of the DP World Tour playoffs to stay in the U.S. and support his wife Paige as their son Thomas, born prematurely in August, finally comes home after two months in neonatal intensive care. The DP World Tour waived its minimum participation requirement, allowing Straka to retain his 2026 membership despite only two appearances this season. “I need to be in Alabama to support Paige and ensure Thomas gets the best possible start,” Straka said, expressing deep gratitude to the medical teams involved.
Gary Player: Ryder Cup in Ruins
Never one to hold back, Gary Player, now 90, criticized the Ryder Cup in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. “I was appalled. The Ryder Cup is in shambles—currently the worst event in the world,” said the nine-time major winner, citing fan behavior and vulgar chants, including one led by a female presenter against Rory McIlroy. “She doesn’t deserve to be called a lady. And if the PGA of America hires and defends such people—have we gone mad?” Player also criticized players for their language, praising only Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood for behaving like gentlemen.
As for the greatest golfers of all time? Player ranks himself third behind Nicklaus and Woods. “I judge by the record book. That’s all that matters. Nicklaus has the best record—period. If Tiger had made the right decisions, he’d be the greatest. But ‘if’ is the worst word in sports.” He even places himself above legends like Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer: “I won more majors than Arnold, more tournaments, had better scoring averages. His