Where is the GOAT headed next? PGA Tour? PGA Tour Champions? Majors and senior majors? Many questions, and it’s complicated.
Quo vadis, Tiger? This question has been asked almost every year since 2009, when his extramarital affairs came to light; after a strong 2013 followed by debilitating back injuries in 2014; and especially since 2019, when his triumphant fifth Masters and 15th major defied the notion that “They Never Come Back”. Of course, the most defining moment came on February 23, 2021, when a severe car accident in California almost cost Woods his right lower leg, drastically altering his sporting career.
Turning 50: Eligibility for PGA Tour Champions and What It Means
Now 50 years old, Eldrick Tont Woods is eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions, where he can drive a cart around the fairways without needing a special exemption. While this seems straightforward, there are underlying complexities, particularly relating to his physical condition and career ambitions.
Woods Could Elevate the PGA Tour Champions
The senior circuit eagerly anticipates his potential participation, as his presence would boost TV ratings and sponsor interest critically needed amid recent budget cuts and organizational changes under new leadership focused on commercial interests. Key figures like Bernhard Langer and Darren Clarke have expressed excitement about the prospect of Woods competing, welcoming him warmly to the tour.
Balancing Commitments and Challenges Ahead
However, Woods’ schedule is packed with his role as a respected figure within the PGA Tour and his various business and charitable engagements. Sponsorship deals such as with Insperity and overlapping tournament schedules present challenges. Moreover, the senior majors are four-day events without guaranteed cart usage, forcing Woods to rely on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for assistance—something at odds with his previous refusal of medical exemptions. Ultimately, Woods will likely focus on select senior majors where he can compete meaningfully, aiming to possibly become the first golfer to win US Junior, Amateur, Open, and Senior Open titles, further cementing his legendary status.