Tiger Woods, the golfing icon, has been conspicuously absent from the Players Championship since 2019, and it appears he won’t be receiving any special exemptions to participate in future events. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has expressed doubt that Woods would accept a “one-time exemption” to play in the prestigious tournament, signaling a potential end to his appearances at TPC Sawgrass.
Heading into 2024, Woods had hoped to maintain a steady schedule of one tournament per month, with the Players Championship being a likely stop. However, his decision to skip the event this week comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the flat TPC Sawgrass course was seen as an ideal opportunity for him to keep his game sharp.
Woods’ last appearance at the Players Championship in 2019 was made possible by his victory at The Masters, which granted him a five-year exemption. However, he has not taken advantage of this exemption since then, raising questions about whether he will ever return to the event.
In order for Woods to qualify for future Players Championships, he would need to either win a PGA Tour event, break into the top 125 on the FedEx Cup points list, or secure another major victory, among other criteria. Given the challenges he faces, it seems increasingly unlikely that Woods will make a return to TPC Sawgrass in the foreseeable future.
Despite calls for the PGA Tour to create a special category to accommodate Woods’ potential return, Commissioner Monahan remains skeptical that Woods would accept such preferential treatment. Monahan emphasized Woods’ desire to earn his way into competitions, suggesting that any discussions about special exemptions would need to be carefully considered.
In addition to addressing Woods’ absence from the Players Championship, Monahan provided updates on the PGA Tour’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. While acknowledging that talks are progressing, he remained tight-lipped about the specifics, citing ongoing discussions and a shared vision to unlock golf’s global potential.
Overall, while the possibility of Woods returning to the Players Championship remains uncertain, the PGA Tour continues to navigate negotiations and discussions aimed at shaping the future of professional golf.