Tiger Woods, whose career has been plagued by injuries, has been urged to consider a change of pace.
Woods, who famously began his career with the phrase “hello world,” has dominated the golf scene ever since. Stewart Cink, a PGA Tour Champions winner, believes that Woods could make a similar impact on a different tour.
“He might have to say, ‘Hello world,’ one more time,” Cink told Golfweek, hinting at the possibility of Woods joining the PGA Champions Tour.
However, after undergoing his seventh back surgery in October and dealing with over 30 injuries throughout his career, any return to the sport would be monumental.
While Woods has confirmed his attendance at the TGL season opener in January to support his teammates, he hasn’t indicated whether he’ll be playing.
“I’ll be there for every match! Looking forward to seeing everyone on January 13th for our home opener. And @willlowerygolf, hands off my sticks! ,” Woods posted on X, confirming his appearance at the golf show he co-founded with Rory McIlroy.
Eligible to join the PGA Tour Champions as soon as he turns 50 on Dec. 30, there are concerns that Woods’ participation in the Champions Tour could detract from the excitement surrounding the PGA.
“That’s if the (PGA) Tour wants him to play out here,” said two-time PGA Tour winner Tom Pernice Jr. “Does the Tour want Tiger to stay over there (on the PGA Tour) as opposed to play over here (on the Senior Tour)? That is the question.
“What’s the buy-in for a PGA Tour event that nobody is going to watch the minute Tiger Woods shows up to play a Champions Tour event? That’s what I think they are worried about,” added PGA Tour winner Billy Andrade.
“If he shows up out here, our Tour is changed, and it will be interesting to see how the PGA Tour handles it.”
Woods has claimed 82 PGA Tour victories and 15 major championships, consistently overcoming injuries throughout his career. Despite being forced to sit out numerous tournaments, setbacks have never permanently derailed him.
In May 2011, Woods had to pull out of The Players Championship after completing just nine holes, departing TPC Sawgrass prematurely for the second year running.
In April 2014, Woods revealed he would skip The Masters for the first time in his professional career. The previous month, he’d suffered lower back discomfort and was forced to exit during the Honda Classic on the 13th green.
Following additional injuries that kept him off the course since the Fall of 2015, Woods announced in April 2015 that he would miss the Masters for the second time in three years.
A string of recent surgeries has further plunged his future into doubt. His last professional appearance came at The Open in 2024.
