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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 09: Team captains Ernie Els and Tiger Woods pose with the Presidents Cup during a 2019 Presidents Cup media opportunity at Riverwalk at Crown Towers on December 09, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
As Tiger Woods’ 50th birthday nears, so does his eligibility to participate in the PGA Tour Champions. With that, comes a challenge mixed with encouragement from past competitor, Ernie Els. Ernie and Tiger have faced off early in their careers, going head-to-head in many tournaments, fighting for the top. Ernie is looking to compete once again, this time on the 50-plus tour.
Tiger’s Recent Setbacks
Woods, set to turn 50 on December 30th, 2025, has not made an appearance at a 2025 PGA Tour event. Back in March, Woods ruptured his Achilles. He announced on social media that he tore his left tendon while training to make a return to the PGA Tour. Although a professional return seems difficult to achieve, it is not the first time Woods has come back to not only beat, but defy the odds. His prognosis is good, considering his past dedication to making a return in the face of adversity.
Positively, Woods remains humorous even in the face of struggles. He teased about his return to golf on April 1st, 2025, April Fool’s Day, writing on X.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but a few weeks after rupturing my left Achilles, the sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber plus the explosive lifts my doctors and trainers have me ready to play the Masters next week! Can’t wait! See y’all on the course.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 1, 2025
The 82-time PGA Tour winner has only appeared in 13 tournaments in the past 5 years. Notably, Woods has suffered injuries on and off the golf course. He has played despite issues in his wrist, both knees, angles, legs, and endured back pain throughout his career.
The amount of surgeries he has undergone is in the double digits, and that is just what is publicly known. All of these setbacks combined has resulted in him missing around 10 seasons on the PGA Tour.
Ernie Els’ Comments
According to the Palm Beach Post, Ernie Els commented on Tiger’s impending eligibility, stating,
“I’ve said, please come play. 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 ass back in shape.”
Ernie Els has played on the PGA Tour Champions since 2020. The 55-year-old has found plenty of success on the Champions Tour. Currently, he is ranked No. 5 in the season-long standings, but has spent the past three seasons in the top ten.
Back in 2000, Els lost to Woods as runner up in not only the U.S. Open, but The Open Championship, making a close call in two majors in the same year. He also took second to Woods’ that same year in a duel at Kapalua.
At the time, Ernie commented on the losses, stating,
“Hey, the guy is unbelievable, man. I’m running out of words. Give me a break.”
Ernie finalized his recent encouragement of Tiger to join the PGA Tour Champions with a challenge, stating
“Beat us again . . . if you can.”
Despite Tiger Woods turning 50 at the end of this year, he does not have to join the PGA Tour Championship. He can continue to play on the PGA Tour. With his accomplished career he has lifetime exemptions in many tournaments.
Sydney Jones Sydney Jones is a sports writer covering all things golf for Heavy.com. She has experience covering the intersection of sports and human interest stories for multiple publications. Originally from Montana, she recently relocated to Seattle and is enjoying the new experience of watching professional sports live while writing about them. More about Sydney Jones
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