“Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods Rally Against Golf’s Strict Dress Codes – Find Out Why They Want to Ditch the Trousers!”

Lee Westwood, a prominent player in LIV Golf, is likely to find an ally in Tiger Woods after expressing frustration over having to wear trousers for the US Senior Open. The golf world has been in turmoil since 2022 due to the launch of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, which has introduced radical changes to traditional golf rules, including allowing players to wear shorts during tournaments. This stands in stark contrast to the conservative dress codes of other top-level events, like the US Senior Open, which mandate trousers.

Westwood, who was preparing for the US Senior Open, voiced his displeasure about the dress code, highlighting the discomfort of wearing trousers during play. “I think I can manage the 72 holes,” said the 51-year-old, who was tied for 16th place at three-under-par after two rounds. “It’s playing in trousers that’s bothering me more. I prefer to get my legs out.”

Westwood’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among golfers who find traditional dress codes impractical, especially in warmer climates. Many players, including Westwood, choose to wear shorts during practice to stay comfortable in the heat. The insistence on trousers during official rounds remains a point of contention.

Tiger Woods, a golf legend and staunch supporter of the American-run tours, has previously expressed a desire for more relaxed dress codes. In 2018, Woods commented on the benefits of wearing shorts in the often sweltering conditions of golf tournaments, stating, “I would love it. We play in some of the hottest climates on the planet. We usually travel with the sun, and a lot of our events are in the summer.”

Woods highlighted the challenges players face in extreme heat, noting that many tournaments are held near the equator or in warm regions during summer months. He added humorously, “Even with my little chicken legs, I still would like to wear shorts.”

Despite these calls for change, the PGA Tour maintains a strict dress code policy, allowing shorts only during Pro-Am and practice rounds since a guideline revision in 1999. The contrast between the LIV Golf tour’s relaxed rules and the traditional dress codes of other tours underscores the ongoing debate in the sport about modernizing regulations to enhance player comfort and performance.