Tiger Woods stance called into question as PGA Tour legend lets slip private chat

Padraig Harrington has revealed that Tiger Woods is contemplating leaving the PGA Tour and potentially joining the PGA Tour Champions, formerly known as the Senior PGA Tour. Woods, who has resisted offers from the breakaway LIV Golf Tour to remain loyal to the PGA, is nearing the age of 50, the threshold for eligibility in the PGA Tour Champions. The organization is eager for Woods’ entry and is even considering altering the age limit to accommodate him earlier.

When asked by PGA Champion golfer Steve Stricker about joining the senior tour, Woods responded, “No, I’m not ready. I want to follow in the same footsteps as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bernhard Langer [by entering aged 50].” Woods, who turned 48 in December, has been vocal about his commitment to entering the senior tour at the traditional age of 50, despite suggestions to join sooner.

The PGA Tour Champions allows the use of carts, which would benefit Woods considering his recent physical challenges. Harrington noted that Woods seems enthusiastic about the prospect of transitioning to the senior tour. “He’d love to win that Grand Slam and add some of the other senior majors to his CV,” Harrington told Golf Week. Harrington mentioned a recent encounter with Woods at the PNC Championship where Woods hinted at his eagerness to compete on the senior circuit.

Woods, a 15-time major champion, last won at the 2019 Masters. This year, he finished 60th at the Masters and missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open. Joining the PGA Tour Champions would offer Woods a chance to achieve a unique Grand Slam, adding the US Senior Open to his list of victories, which already includes three US Junior, US Amateur, and US Open titles.

The prospect of Woods joining the senior tour is expected to generate unprecedented interest, surpassing the excitement seen with Phil Mickelson’s arrival in 2021. Tour president Miller Brady recounted a conversation with Stricker about lowering the age limit for Woods, stating, “I said, ‘No, we just did this,’ unless Tiger tells me he’d play right now. (If that’s the case), I’ll lower the age tomorrow.”

Brady confirmed that the organization held a meeting last June to discuss the potential impact of Woods joining the PGA Tour Champions. The anticipation is that Woods’ participation would elevate the tour’s profile and potentially boost ratings above the PGA Tour. Geoff Ogilvy, a former US Open winner, remarked, “Taking a cart changes everything for him. Interest from both fans and sponsors is going to be through the roof. I think there’s a good chance that Champions Tour ratings can top the PGA Tour when he decides to play. And what else is he going to do?”

As Woods nears his 50th birthday, he may soon face new challenges, such as aiming to surpass Bernhard Langer’s record of 12 senior major titles. The US Senior Open will commence at Newport Country Club on Thursday, with England’s Richard Bland as the favorite following his recent victory at the Senior PGA Championship.