Tiger Woods - Sport News

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy rub salt into Greg Norman’s wounds with LIV Golf olive branch

By Admin January 12, 2025

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launched a new golf and reached out to Greg Norman’s successor at LIV Golf.

Norman was head of the breakaway league when it first launched in 2022. Despite LIV and the PGA Tour agreeing on the framework for a merger in June 2023, Woods and McIlroy have remained at loggerheads with the two-time major winner.

On Tuesday, Woods and McIlroy attended the inaugural Tomorrow’s Golf League match, launched by their company TMRW Sports. Blending virtual golf and matchplay, the indoor team event is a major shakeup in the golfing world—and an invite was extended to a LIV Golf executive.

READ: Tiger Woods confirms plan for TGL debut as young phenom is forced to wait

The Sports Business Journal reported that Scott O’Neil, who is widely expected to replace Norman as LIV CEO, was spotted at the SoFi Center for the debut of TGL. There was no mention of O’Neil being accompanied by Norman. It has been reported that the 69-year-old will be moved into a different role by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

In 2022, Woods turned down a reported $800m offer from LIV to leave the PGA Tour. That December, at the height of golf’s fractious rivalry, Woods felt there was no hope of a merger because Norman was in charge. “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening,” Woods said.

“As Rory said, I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you?

“They sued us first. I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organisations put a stay on their litigation but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it. I think it has to start with leadership on their side.”

While Woods is part of the PAC working on the merger between the PGA and LIV, McIlroy has also spent time with PIF officials. Having previously advised Norman to “exit stage left”, the Northern Irishman believed a deal would be easier to strike without Norman’s involvement.

“I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with [PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan] and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so [Greg] Norman and those guys,” McIlroy explained last year.

“I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalise that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.”

The launch of TGL had been delayed by a year before The Bay Golf Club scored a 9-2 win over the New York Golf Club on Tuesday. TGL is comprised of six four-man teams, with each 15-hole match split between triples and singles matchplay. Having been organized in with the PGA, TGL will be played on weekdays and is next in action on January 14.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods confirms plan for TGL debut as young phenom is forced to wait

By Admin January 11, 2025

Tiger Woods will make his TGL debut alongside Kevin Kisner and Max Homa on Tuesday, with rising star Tom Kim missing out on selection.

Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club will make its bow in the tech-powered golf league, which enjoyed a successful launch this week. His trio will take on Los Angeles Golf Club in the league’s second match, with California natives Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala to joined by England’s Justin Rose.

Rose’s countryman Tommy Fleetwood will also sit out the match, which will be played at the league’s SoFi Center arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where a crowd of 1,500 fans watched TGL’s inaugural match on Tuesday.

JUST IN: Tiger Woods in the middle of controversy after paid actors were in ‘attendance’ for TGL

The Bay – made up of Shane Lowry, Ludvig Aberg and Wyndham Clark – defeated New York’s Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick in a one-sided match to tee off the innovative tournament.

Players hit longer shots into a huge simulator screen that is five stories tall before turning their focus to a short-game area situated on a turntable that changes orientation and topography depending on the virtual hole being played.

Night one proved a big success for TGL and ESPN, with an average of more than 900,000 viewers tuning in for the opening match. The audience peaked at 1.1 million viewers when the players hit their first tee shots, the “Worldwide Leader” reported.

Those numbers are almost certain to rise for Woods’ debut. The 49-year-old has played a significantly reduced schedule in recent years due to injuries suffered on and off the course, but he remains golf’s great needle-mover – topping the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program rankings in 2024 despite playing only five events.

Woods, who instigated the creation of TGL alongside four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, was in attendance for the inaugural match and he could not contain his excitement to play his first match.

“I’m excited to do this. It’s been a dream come true to build something like this and have it come to reality. I’m part of the playing process now and I haven’t been part of the playing process for a while,” he said on the broadcast.

“It’s a little bit harder for me to play a full-time schedule, but this is something neat and we’re able to bring it to all the fans all around the world.”

World No. 23 Kim is one of golf’s brightest young stars. The 22-year-old already has three PGA Tour victories to his name and 12 victories worldwide. He has also shown himself to be charismatic and captivating viewing, displaying his competitive edge when he represented the International team in a tempestuous Presidents Cup last year – meaning his personality and talent should be a valuable asset for made-for-TV league TGL when he eventually gets his chance to play.

With all players mic’d up throughout the match, Kisner and Homa are also sure to provide plenty of entertainment. Kisner is a master of the mind games of matchplay golf, while Homa is never shy in showing his sense of humor both on and off the course.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods in the middle of controversy after paid actors were in “attendance” for TGL

By Admin January 11, 2025

As it prepares for a takeover of golf, recent revelations about the use of paid actors in the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) sparked a wave of speculation and debate within the sports community.

However, TGL officials have firmly clarified the matter.

The company formed by sports executive Mike McCarley and professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour, has assured fans and critics alike that these actors are part of a specific operational strategy, not a regular feature of live events.

READ: Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods golf league earns mixed reviews following launch

The clarification serves to reassure fans who are eagerly awaiting this new chapter in golf. With a focus on innovation, the league promises to deliver excitement and accessibility to a broader audience, all while maintaining the core values of the sport.

The upcoming events are set to be a showcase of not just athletic prowess, but also the seamless integration of entertainment, technology, and fan engagement. The decision to use actors in preliminary stages is seen as a strategic move to ensure a flawless execution when the curtains rise on live broadcasts.

The innovative golf league aims to revolutionize the sport by blending traditional elements with modern entertainment. As part of their preparations, TGL has employed paid actors during dress rehearsals and for additional filmed content. This approach is akin to the use of seat fillers at high-profile award shows, ensuring a visually appealing and engaging presentation for viewers.

During the initial rollout, rumors surfaced suggesting that actors might be present at actual live events, potentially diminishing the authenticity of the audience experience. TGL responded swiftly, emphasizing that actors are used solely in controlled environments to fine-tune logistics and create supplementary content.

While the initial use of paid actors may have raised eyebrows, TGL’s transparency looks to be transforming golf for a new era. As the league moves forward, fans can look forward to witnessing a new experience of live golf, untainted by the presence of scripted participants.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods golf league earns mixed reviews following launch

By Admin January 10, 2025

Sports fans have been reacting to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ new high-tech golf league following its launch.

The TGL has earned mixed reviews from spectators who have been reacting to the virtual format and shot clock.

This ambitious project, which Woods and McIlroy have been gearing up to launch, is set to spotlight 24 leading PGA Tour names in weekly broadcasted clashes at an exclusive indoor venue in Florida.

The roster boasts six teams comprising four players each, including heavy hitters like Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, New York Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club, Jupiter Links GC, and LAGC. Positioned as a fusion of traditional golf and modern tech, TGL unfolds indoors, utilising vast golf simulators as part of its drive to weave technology into the game’s fabric.

JUST IN: Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

The opening event featured the likes of golf stars Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club who took on Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Aberg representing The Bay Golf Club.

The reaction to the TGL has been mixed. Some have praised the idea of a shot clock and enjoyed for the facilities at Palm Beach State College’s advanced SoFi Center streamed in, reports the Express.

One fan said on social media: “Yep, it’s something….first impressions is hopefully this normalises a shot clock”.

Another added: “I actually don’t hate it yet. I’m mostly jealous that there’s a place that exists with a 3000 square foot simulator screen and a green / pitching area that can change contours. That’s actually cool. Imagine having that as a practice facility”.

The innovative TGL has been making waves, with one fan sharing: “I like the technology and engineering of it. Also love the different style and shot clock to make it fast paced (once it actually started).”

Another highlighted their enjoyment: “I’m enjoying it so far… watching the ball fly on the screen with a shot tracker is weird for me… but other than that I’m enjoying it. the pace is good and the inane banter is minimal… a win so far IMO.”

The creative course layout also drew comments, with one viewer saying: “Unrealistic holes are a choice but given that it’s virtual anyway, I think I’m good with it? I mean watching someone play virtual St Andrews wouldn’t measure up… so something new. Who knows.”

Meanwhile, not everyone was impressed. One fan criticised the event for a specific omission: “How does TGL, a made for TV golf simulator league, not show the distance on the shot tracer,” while another questioned additional features: “What purpose does the ref serve?”

Some viewers found the presentation lacking excitement, particularly due to a sluggish start: “It’s already boring,” complained an individual, referring to the 17-minute delay before action commenced. 17 minutes before they hit their first shot. Hype man. Pass.”

One person advised a livelier debut for such an event: “If I were launching a FUN NEW EXCITING golf league, I wouldn’t have the first 15 minutes of the inaugural TV window consist of … golfer interviews and rules/format explanations.”

In TGL, the team accumulating the most points emerges victorious, with each hole’s winner bagging one point. A match is made up of 15 holes and two sessions: the first session is a ‘triples’ nine-hole three vs three foursomes match, while the second session is a ‘singles’ one-on-one duel over six holes, where each player competes in two holes.

If matches end in a tie after regular play, an overtime challenge akin to a penalty shootout is initiated, where a team must land two shots closer to the hole than their rivals to claim victory.

Once the 15-week season wraps up, the top four teams in the league will battle it out in the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three final to crown the inaugural TGL champion.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

By Admin January 10, 2025

The opening night of TGL – the tech-infused golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – was greeted by impressive TV viewing figures, without either man playing in the inaugural match.

TGL debuted on ESPN on Tuesday with The Bay – comprised of Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg – defeating the New York team of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick in a one-sided match.

The launch of the league created plenty of intrigue, with some of the PGA Tour’s top stars playing fantasy golf holes – including one set on an active volcano – by hitting into a massive simulator screen before moving to a dynamic short-game area with a green that rotates and changes typography for each new virtual creation – all in front of a 1,500 crowd at the bespoke SoFi Center arena in Florida.

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

And viewers responded in their droves, with an average audience of 919,000 across the two-hour broadcast, with a peak of 1.1 million viewers as the players hit their first shots. Most encouragingly for TGL, which is aiming to attract younger audiences, the opening match proved to be a hit with its target demographic.

The “Worldwide Leader” reported that TGL’s opener averaged 402,270 viewers aged 18-49, accounting for 44 per cent of the viewership – a much greater proportion than a typical PGA Tour event.

The broadcast was a success in attracting younger male viewers in particular, with 77 per cent of viewers from the 18-49 bracket being male, compared to 67 per cent for the final round of The Sentry in Hawaii on Sunday.

And better numbers likely await on the horizon. Despite injuries suffered both on and off the golf course dramatically reducing Woods’ playing schedule in recent years, he remains golf’s great needle mover – evidenced by the 15-time major champion ranking top of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program bonus scheme for $10 million despite playing only five events in 2024.

Woods will make his TGL debut next week when his Jupiter Links Golf Club play Los Angeles, and although seeing the 49-year-old play simulator golf will not compare to the memories of him charging through the field on a Sunday, the chance to see him tee it up is sure to be appealing to both golf purists and casual fans.

And a week later, TGL will stage its headline attraction when Woods and his crew take on McIlroy’s Boston Common in primetime – without anything in the way of competition from the NFL or the College Football Playoff.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

By Admin January 9, 2025

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy sent an invite to the man tipped to replace Greg Norman at LIV Golf to their brand-new indoor golf league.

When LIV first hit the fairways in 2022, Norman was at the helm, stirring up controversy and causing a rift in the world of professional golf. And while LIV and the PGA Tour agreed on a framework for a merger between the two promotions in June 2023, McIlroy and Woods have remained at a standoff with Aussie legend Norman.

At a ground-breaking event held on Tuesday (January 7), both McIlroy and Woods graced the inaugural match of the Tomorrow’s Golf League – an ambitious project of their joint company TMRW Sports. This innovative league marries virtual reality tech with the classic game in an indoor matchup setting, a bold step for the sport – and an invite to the event was even extended to a LIV Golf executive.

READ: Inside the 10 most remarkable courses on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL

According to the Sports Business Journal, Scott O’Neil – who is rumoured to be stepping into Norman’s shoes as LIV’s main man – was seen attending the TGL’s big kick-off at the SoFi Center without Norman alongside him. Speculation suggests Norman, aged 69, will be pivoted to a new position by the bosses at Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, reports the Mirror US.

Back in 2022, Woods famously refused a jaw-dropping offer from LIV, speculated to be around $800m, opting to stick with the PGA Tour. That December, during the height of the tensions between the rival golf factions, Woods spoke out, doubting a merger while Norman was at the wheel.

He said: “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening. As Rory said, I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you?

“They sued us first. I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organisations put a stay on their litigation but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it. I think it has to start with leadership on their side.” While Woods is actively involved in the PAC overseeing the potential PGA-LIV merger, McIlroy hasn’t shied away from engaging with PIF chiefs either.

After earlier suggesting that Norman should “exit stage left”, McIlroy believes removing Norman from the equation could pave the way for smoother negotiations. He explained last year: “I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with [PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan] and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so [Greg] Norman and those guys.

“I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalise that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.”

The TGL launch was delayed by a year prior to Tuesday’s event, which saw The Bay Golf Club clinch a 9-2 win over New York Golf Club. TGL is made up of six four-man teams, with each 15-hole match split into triples and singles play. It is set to be played on weekdays, and the next event takes place on January 15.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Inside the 10 most remarkable courses on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL

By Admin January 7, 2025

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL debuts on Tuesday night, with six of the top golfers on the PGA Tour set to compete on a series of fantasy holes custom-designed for the tech-infused league.

The Bay Golf Club – comprised of Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg – will take on Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club in TGL’s inaugural match. The teams will go head to head at the bespoke SoFi Center arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The 1,500-capacity arena is home to a giant 3,400 square-foot simulator screen, which the players will hit their longer shots into. They will then turn their focus to a short-game area the size of four basketball courts, which includes a dynamic rotating green that changes orientation and topography depending on the hole being played.

JUST IN: Tiger Woods’ TGL golf league has some unique rules

All of the holes that will be played in TGL’s 15-hole matches have been created for the league, with Agustín Pizá, Beau Welling and Nicklaus Design creating an eclectic catalog of holes that will test every part of the players’ games.

None of the holes that will be played are replicas of the real world, meaning the designers had a blank canvas to create the most spectacular and intriguing holes possible. Here is a look at some of the holes that will be played in TGL’s debut match on Tuesday…

The Plank

Designed by Augustin Piza, The Plank will be the first hole played in TGL, with Shane Lowry having the honor of hitting the first tee shot on the 380-yard par-four. The relatively short length of the hole could tempt players into being aggressive and taking driver off the tee, but the landing area is surrounded by pot bunkers that will bring bogey into play.

Pick Yer Plunder

After walking The Plank, the teams will turn their attention to Pick Yer Plunder – a 590-yard par-five. Also created by Piza Golf, it is a hole tailored for matchplay with players faced with three distinct options off the tee. The risk-reward option is an island fairway in the center of the hole, which is just 27 yards wide and will require absolute precision to find. There are safer options, right or left, but an accurate tee shot will be required to find the short grass and have a chance of getting home in two.

Boomerang

Nicklaus Design’s Boomerang is the next par-five on the agenda, measuring up at 622 yards. The hole gets its name from the shape of its fairway, which will present players with peculiar angles to consider with their tee shots and approaches. Only the longest hitters will be able to set up an eagle chance here, but the awkward positioning of the bunkers makes laying up no easy task, either.

Craic On

Beau Welling Design’s Craic On will be one of five par-threes played in Tuesday’s inaugural match. The 175-yard links-inspired hole is one of the smallest holes in the TGL catalog, but players aiming straight at the flagstick will have to take the wind – which is built into the simulator’s calculations – into account.

Bluebonnet

Set in the hills of Texas, Nicklaus Design’s Bluebonnet can play in two distinctly different ways, depending on the tee box that is used. The shorter tee makes this a 343-yard drivable par-four, while the longer tee makes it a 450-yard beast, with huge consideration to be given to how much of the canyon fairway should be bitten off with the tee shot.

Flex

Piza Golf really used its creative license with this one. Flex, a 528-yard par-four, is set on an active volcano with pools and streams of lava, and players have three options off the tee – with varying degrees of difficulty and reward.

Serpent

Serpent is the opening hole of the singles section, with The Bay’s Shane Lowry taking on New York’s Rickie Fowler. It is a lengthy par-five at 627 yards, and it is not lacking in challenges. The fairways are lined with bunkers and penalty areas, and there are elevation changes to consider when navigating this meaty par-five.

Alpine

Matt Fitzpatrick and Wyndham Clark will go head-to-head on 535-yard par-four Alpine, which begins with a high-tariff tee shot that requires players to carry the ball around 300 yards over a gorge. Those who find the perfect landing spot will be rewarded with generous run-out, which will dramatically reduce the length an difficulty of their approach.

Cliffhanger

Wind will have to be taken into account when the players take on Cliffhanger, a 240-yard par-three set on the coast of Northern California. Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg will go head-to-head here.

Quick Draw

The 720-yard mammoth par-five Quick Draw is the final hole of TGL’s inaugural match. Like many of the other holes that will be played on Tuesday, Schauffele and Aberg will have options when they step up to hit their tee shots. If a team is trailing, the risky option of aiming for the island fairway that stands above the canyon – which dramatically reduces the length of the hole – is sure to be appealing. A player looking to defend a lead, however, could be more conservative by aiming for the left fairway, although they will have no chance of reaching the green in two.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods’ TGL golf league has some unique rules

By Admin January 7, 2025

Golf will look a little different Tuesday night when TGL, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new simulator golf league, debuts on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.

The inaugural match won’t feature Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club or McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf. Woods is expected to be present at Tuesday’s debut before his team tees up next Tuesday (there’s a tactical reason for delaying Woods’ first appearance).

Instead, TGL will make its grand entrance with New York Golf Club (Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick) facing The Bay Area Golf Club (Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, and Wyndham Clark).

READ: ‘Let Tiger Woods Play’: Veteran Golfer Makes Bold Appeal to Seniors Tour Amid 49-Year-Old’s Health Crisis

So, how does “Golf but on a screen in a dome” work?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the rules and format:

Each team will play five matches during the season. Before each match, the team will select three players to compete and one to sit out. Cameron Young (New York) and Min Woo Lee (Bay Area) will be sitting out Tuesday night.

The matches will be a 15-hole, 3-on-3 competition with two components.

The first nine holes will be a 3-on-3 alternate shot competition called “Triples.” The three players on each team will rotate who tees off on a hole and then rotate each shot from there. The final six holes will be a rotating head-to-head competition called “Singles.” “Singles” sees each player play two holes, with the competitors rotating after each completed hole.

For example: Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg will face each other on holes 10 and 13, Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler will play 11 and 14, and Shane Lowry and Matt Fitzpatrick will duel on 12 and 15.

The scoring is straightforward. Each hole is worth one point, and the team with the fewest strokes on the hole wins. Ties are worth zero points, and the points do not carry over. Also, every match will go the full 15 holes even if the outcome is decided.

So, what if there’s a tie?

Glad you asked.

TGL has a unique overtime tiebreaker that will see all three golfers compete in a best-of-three, closest-to-the-pin competition. A team wins when it hits two shots closer than its competition.

There is also a shot clock in TGL. Each player will have 40 seconds to hit their shot, or else they will receive a one-stroke penalty. (Governing bodies take note.) Each team will have four timeouts per match, two timeouts per each of the two sessions. Unused timeouts do not carry over.

TGL also will introduce “The Hammer” on Tuesday night. The Hammer increases the value of the hole by one point. Only the team that holds The Hammer can play it (Bay Area won a coin toss to start with it Tuesday). A team can play The Hammer multiple times per hole to increase pressure on the opposing team. An opponent can decline to play The Hammer but will concede the hole. The Hammer will change possession each time its used.

Here’s how the season scoring works:

Regulation win: 2 points

Overtime win: 2 points

Overtime loss: 1 point

Regulation loss: 0 points

The top four teams from the regular season standings will advance to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will then play a best-of-three championship series.

After a year delay, the TGL finally tees off Tuesday night.

Will it become a focal point in golf’s future, or just another idea destined for the greenside trash can?

We’re about to find out.

Keep Reading

GOLF

‘Let Tiger Woods Play’: Veteran Golfer Makes Bold Appeal to Seniors Tour Amid 49-Year-Old’s Health Crisis

By Admin January 5, 2025

Remember when Tiger Woods made it clear how much he hated using a cart, even though his body, post-surgery, could’ve really used one?

Well, fast forward to now, and we all know how much Tiger’s health has been a factor in his career. Back in September, he underwent his sixth back surgery, and as for his 2024 season? His absence mostly defined it. Seeing Woods in action last year felt like a miracle. Notably, he skipped the Hero World Challenge altogether, opting to host the event from the booth instead of playing.

But Woods did make his comeback at the 2024 PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, where Team Woods finished second. Impressive, for sure, but no win this time. Still, the future looks bright, and there are plenty more years ahead where we’ll hopefully see Woods swinging those clubs again at full strength.

JUST IN: Tiger Woods, and 1 part of his history that he thinks you’ll be ‘amazed’ at

But hey wait, Woods just turned 49, which means in just a year, he’ll be eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour. That’s right—he’ll finally be able to use a cart! And it seems his future peers can’t wait to have him on the Senior circuit.

Golf legend Mark Calcavecchia recently took to X and tossed out a pretty bold idea—he thinks it’s time for Woods to join the Champions Tour. He pointed out that Tiger’s 49 now, which is close enough to the 50-year mark, Calcavecchia joked, “Let him (Tiger Woods) play now I say.” He also quipped that with only 48 wins needed to be the best in senior golf, maybe Tiger could win them all in a row. “I wouldn’t put it past you,” he added, teasing that the Big Cat could pull off such a feat.

Now, it’s not just Calcavecchia who is excited to have Woods on board. Padraig Harrington might’ve just dropped a hint about Woods’ own eagerness to join the Senior Tour. He shared with Today’s Golfer that when he “met Tiger recently, and he said he was looking forward to coming out onto the Champions Tour”. So you see, even Woods seems more than eager to join the Senior PGA Tour.

It’s clear that Woods’ future on the Senior Tour is something fans—and fellow golfers—are really looking forward to.

There was a time when Woods was always in the mix, and you could bet on him dominating the field. But now, with his limited appearances, fans are more often yearning just for a glimpse of him than actually cheering him on during a tournament. As the new season kicks off, all eyes are on Woods, especially with him set to tee up at his very own TGL. Fans are left wondering what his year might look like.

For Woods, 2024 was mostly about healing and recovering. He’s been pretty open about the physical challenges that have kept him from being tournament-ready. In a 2024 interview, he admitted, “I’m not tournament sharp yet.” And honestly, it’s no surprise—his journey back from the 2021 car accident and the multiple surgeries that followed has been anything but easy. But even with these setbacks, Woods remains optimistic about his future in golf, with plans to come back stronger in 2025.

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see what 2025 has in store for Woods. Will we see him back in his full form, or could the Senior PGA Tour be where he truly shines again?

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods, and 1 part of his history that he thinks you’ll be ‘amazed’ at

By Admin January 5, 2025

Tiger Woods, in his first start after the Covid shutdown of 2020, was struggling.

Then wasn’t. After a respectable 71 during the Memorial’s first round, he was six-over through 15 holes in round two, only to finish birdie, birdie, par, leading to a made cut — and a thought.

Did he consider himself a grinder?

Really? Woods? The 15-time major winner? The 82-time PGA Tour winner? A scrapper? A ham-and-egger?

READ: Bizarre TGL Rumor Shows Tiger Woods’s $500M League Is Rapidly Changing Pro Golf

“Always have,” Woods said.

And apparently still does.

This week, as part of a curtain-raising for its plush, new multimedia digs, the PGA Tour released a video of Woods touring the campus, and most of it was Woods’ fan catnip. There were highlights and commentary about his win at the 2018 Tour Championship. There were highlights and commentary about his chip-in at the 2001 Players Championship. There were highlights and commentary about his fist pump. There were highlights and commentary about his 82 Tour wins.

During the latter, though, Woods offered this:

— He felt he putted “really well” only twice in his career — at the 1997 Masters and at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He won both convincingly — the margin of victory at those events are tournament records. (He won by 12 at the Masters, and by 15 at the U.S. Open.)

— He felt the “best” he ever hit it in his career was at the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrews, where Woods won by eight. “I felt like I had the ball on a string and I could do anything that I wanted to,” Woods said on the video.

— He felt at most of his events, he “didn’t really have it.”

Really? Woods? The 15-time major winner? The 82-time PGA Tour winner?

Here’s the full quote:

“People are probably amazed to hear this, but most of my events, I didn’t really have it. Those are the ones that I won by a lot, but most of them are just hanging in there and not making a double, making a key par save.

“And that was most of the events that I’d won, is in order to win the tournament you have to get to the weekend, you have to first make the cut, and that’s one of the things I was very proud of in my cut streak is that I gave myself an opportunity to make a run on the weekend. Torrey [Pines] one year, I made the cut on the number, and I came out and shot 62, 65 on the weekend to win. But that doesn’t happen unless I make the cut. So first things first, I made a lot of cuts in my career, which allowed me to then go on to have opportunities on the weekend to win.”

Amazed? Maybe.

The takeaway may be, though. It’s understandable, too.

Keep grinding. For the high-handicappers, turn the 99 into a 98. For the scratch gang, dig out a closing par. The moments of having “it” are just fleeting, and it’s honestly why we play. To get ourselves to that point.

Woods knows this well. Think of his play at the 2020 Masters, in his last title defense. During the final round, he took a ghastly 10 at the par-3 12, then finished this way: birdie, par, birdie, birdie, birdie and birdie.

To finish things here, we’ll give Woods’ definition of grinder, which he also offered at the 2020 Memorial.

“I think that anyone who fights all day,” he said. “I think that’s the guys that have typically been grinders, guys that don’t ever want to make bogeys.”

Keep Reading