Where is the GOAT headed next? PGA Tour? Champions? Majors and Senior Majors? Many questions, and it’s complicated.
Quo vadis, Tiger Woods? This question has been asked almost every year since 2009, and the uncertainty only grew after his personal scandals, back issues, and triumphs including his fifth Masters win in 2019. His severe car accident in February 2021 almost ended his career after a horrific leg injury.
Turning 50: PGA Tour Champions Eligibility and Realities
Now 50 years old, Tiger Woods is officially eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, the senior circuit allowing players 50 and over to compete often with carts. This eligibility means he can participate without a special exemption, but the situation is not that simple.
While Woods’ presence would be a massive boost to the Champions Tour, drawing fans and sponsors, the tour itself faces financial and commercial challenges. The pension fund was cut unexpectedly, and the tour has no TV partner, bearing high broadcast costs per event week.
Preparations and Complications for Tiger’s Potential Return
PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady affirmed that the tour is ready for Tiger, having prepared security, logistics, and amenities. Yet, complexities remain from contractual commitments, scheduling conflicts, and Tiger’s own physical condition. Player Director Steve Flesch hopes Tiger might compete in about five to ten events, but communication protocols and expectations are strict.
Meanwhile, the regular PGA Tour values Woods’ drawing power and is aware that sharing this attention with the senior tour poses strategic challenges. Furthermore, Woods’ ambassador role with Insperity, which sponsors a Champions event running concurrently with a significant PGA Tour event, complicates scheduling.
Focusing on Senior Majors and Physical Challenges Ahead
Likely, Woods will prioritize select senior events, including majors like the US Senior Open, aiming to become the first golfer to hold all US junior, amateur, open, and senior titles. Achieving this would surpass even the legendary Bobby Jones’ record.
However, the senior majors are four-day events requiring players to walk 72 holes, a significant challenge for Woods. While the Americans with Disabilities Act might permit cart use, Woods has historically declined medical exemptions, reflecting personal pride. Ultimately, Woods will compete only if confident in contending to win, a resolve echoed by peers like Justin Thomas.