Tiger Woods’ Las Vegas poker night was ‘a dream’, says Collin Morikawa… as PGA Tour star claims legend’s ego is behind US Open mistake

Collin Morikawa admitted that playing poker with golf legend Tiger Woods was a dream come true. Morikawa was invited to Woods’ star-studded Tiger Jam event in Las Vegas last week. The event featured A-list guests enjoying golf and poker among other activities to raise money for Woods’ foundation.

Morikawa was particularly impressed by Woods’ golf skills during a clinic they held for young golfers, but he was even more excited about spending time with his idol at the poker table.

“I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to do something like that and talk to him and hang out,” Morikawa said at a press conference ahead of this week’s Memorial Tournament. “You go back and look at your 15-year-old self and say: ‘You’re going to spend a few hours with Tiger playing poker, hitting a few golf balls on the range, picking his brain, screwing around.’ That’s a dream, right? So that’s pretty cool.”

While Morikawa enjoyed his time with Woods in Las Vegas, a clip of the golf legend at the poker event raised eyebrows among fans. The 15-time major winner was caught on camera by American professional poker player Phil Hellmuth during the Tiger Jam charity event. Woods’ behavior in the clip led some to question whether he had too much to drink. At the start of the clip, Woods stares into the camera, leading some to liken him to a waxwork model. However, other fans defended him, insisting he was just having a good night out in Vegas.

Reflecting on the upcoming major championship at Pinehurst this month, Morikawa acknowledged how Woods’ “ego” might impact his performance in the US Open. Woods has played only four times on the PGA Tour since undergoing reconstructive ankle surgery in April 2023, participating in the Hero World Challenge, Genesis Invitational, Masters, and PGA Championship.

Despite showing flashes of his legendary skills, doubts remain about Woods’ ability to walk 18 holes due to the lingering effects of a high-speed car crash in 2021. Woods has consistently ruled out using a golf cart during PGA Tour competition.

Morikawa suggested that Woods’ ego might lead him to make a poor decision regarding the US Open. He hinted that it would be best for Woods to use a cart to support his ankles post-surgery. The PGA allows the use of carts for select players, and when asked if Woods’ pride was preventing him from making the right choice, Morikawa replied, “Yeah, but his ego is pretty big, as is all of ours. I think he wants to keep doing it until he can’t and maybe there’s something about a golf cart that ain’t it [for him]. I’d be taking a golf cart if they allowed me.”

“The skill and the feel are still all there, right?” Morikawa added. “So you wouldn’t know, but you add that over time, over 18 holes, over the course of 72 holes and the entire week of prep. The guy has been through a lot.”