Why Tiger Woods Isn’t Playing in the Olympics
Tiger Woods has accomplished nearly everything in his illustrious career, but one notable absence is his participation in the Olympics. Here’s why he’s never played in the Olympics and why he’s not at Paris 2024. **Timing and Bad Luck** Golf was absent from the Olympic schedule for 112 years before returning in 2016. Had it…
Tiger Woods has accomplished nearly everything in his illustrious career, but one notable absence is his participation in the Olympics. Here’s why he’s never played in the Olympics and why he’s not at Paris 2024.
**Timing and Bad Luck**
Golf was absent from the Olympic schedule for 112 years before returning in 2016. Had it been part of the Games earlier, Woods would have undoubtedly been a key player for Team USA during his peak years. From May 18, 1997, to February 27, 2011, Woods never ranked lower than third in the Official World Golf Ranking, which would have guaranteed his spot in the Olympics if golf had been included.
**Missed Opportunities**
Woods would have likely competed in the 2012 Olympics if golf had been part of the Beijing Games, given his top-four world ranking in the months leading up to the event. By the time golf returned to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Woods was already dealing with significant injuries. A back surgery sidelined him for most of 2016, ruining his best chance to compete.
**Desire vs. Reality**
Woods has always expressed a desire to compete in the Olympics. Before the 2019 US Open, he acknowledged that age was catching up with him but remained hopeful about qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Games. At the time, he said, “Olympic gold medal would be a hell of a feat. First I need to qualify. It would be exciting if I got a chance to represent the United States in the Olympic Games.”
As 2020 began, Woods seemed well-positioned to make the Tokyo Olympics, ranking seventh in the world. However, the Covid-19 pandemic postponed the Games and extended the qualifying period. In January 2021, Woods underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment pinching a nerve, severely impacting his chances. A month later, a severe car accident further jeopardized his career, making Olympic qualification impossible.
**Current Status and Future Prospects**
By the cut-off for the 2024 Olympics qualification, Woods was far from the required ranking, standing at 842nd when only a top-seven position would suffice. Despite this, fans know never to count Woods out entirely. While making the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 would require an extraordinary effort, his legendary career suggests it might not be entirely impossible.
For now, it seems Woods and the Olympics might not align, potentially leaving this achievement out of his otherwise unparalleled career.