Multiple major champion Ernie Els has urged Tiger Woods to see if he can still beat some of his former rivals as it ‘doesn’t help him’ to ‘finish 70th’ in regular events.
Woods turns 50 in December and is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026.
The 15-time major champion – who is still recovering from his latest surgery – has not indicated what he plans to do in the future.
Jack Nicklaus previously claimed Woods will compete on the senior circuit and even use a cart.
The Big Easy would like to see Woods do the same, with the four-time major winner telling Golfweek that ‘it doesn’t help him’ to struggle against the young guns.
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Woods has been limited to just eight major starts since his 2021 car crash, only completing all 72 holes just twice.
“I’ve said [to Woods], please come play,” Els said. “And I think it can only be beneficial to him.
“He will get himself in golf shape. You can ride a cart without any shame and if there was one guy that should be able to drive a cart, it’s him. And he can get his a– back in shape.”
Els even tried to tempt Woods: “Beat us again… if you can.”
When will Tiger Woods play again?
Woods ruptured his left Achilles in March whilst he was ramping up his preparation for the 2025 Masters.
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The injury meant he was forced to miss all of the major championships this year and he has not revealed when and where he plans to return.
The injury came after Woods took part in a couple TGL matches for his Jupiter Links earlier in the year.
Off course activities
Woods has spent his time off the course getting extremely involved in governance matters for the PGA Tour.
He was involved in discussions at the White House as the Tour sought to agree a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The PIF bankroll the rival LIV Golf League.
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Woods may return to action in December at the PNC Championship. He has played in the parent/child PGA Tour event with his son Charlie five times.
Woods is also due to host the Hero World Challenge in Albany in the same month.
In August, he was named the chairman of the PGA Tour’s newly-formed future competition committee.
The nine-member body is tasked with ‘a holistic re-look’ at how professional golf is structured.
The aim, according to new PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, is to make significant changes as soon as possible.
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The committee’s membership includes PGA Tour players Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, Maverick McNealy and Keith Mitchell.
Joe Gorder, John Henry and Theo Epstein were named as the committee’s business advisors.
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