One day after announcing the start of his professional career, Tiger Woods held a press conference that began with his famous “Hello, world.” It was a powerful symbol of what his entry into top-level golf would be like.
Almost 30 years later, Woods is about to become eligible for a new stage in his career: the senior category. And once again, his arrival is expected to revolutionize the sport.
“He might have to say, ‘Hello world,’ one more time,” said PGA Tour Champions star Stewart Cink when talking to Golfweek about the topic.
However, not everyone sees Woods’ eventual transition happening smoothly. Some current Senior Tour players, interviewed by Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, are skeptical about how the PGA Tour will handle the situation.
“That’s if the (PGA) Tour wants him to play out here,” two-time PGA Tour winner Tom Pernice Jr. told Schupak. “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.”
The reason for this question is simple: Woods’ presence at PGA Tour Champions events could overshadow PGA Tour tournaments held on the same weekend.
“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,” said four-time 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,” Andrade added.
Woods will celebrate his 50th birthday on Dec. 30, officially qualifying him for the PGA Tour Champions. With a career that has defined modern golf, the Senior Tour will have every reason to welcome him immediately, as his eligibility alone promises to reshape the circuit.
The 82-time PGA Tour winner has not publicly stated his plans regarding the PGA Tour Champions. However, stars like Padraig Harrington and Jack Nicklaus have said that Woods wants to play on the Senior Tour.
Woods will be eligible to play in the 2026 U.S. Senior Open. This is a title he will surely pursue with particular interest, as winning it would make him the player with the most U.S. Golf Association (USGA) titles, a record he currently shares with Bobby Jones at nine each. He would also become the first player in history to win the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Senior Open.
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