Tiger Woods can join the over-50 ranks in January. Here’s what the GOAT’s peers have to say about it, and where might he tee up?
Want to feel old? Tiger Woods turns 50 next month. It’s a milestone that brings with it a plethora of questions. While these days it’s less ‘can he still compete at the highest level?’ and more ‘can he play 72 holes without breaking down?’, the big five-oh does bring with it new opportunities. Notably, the senior’s circuit.
Woods has rarely broached the subject. At the 2023 Masters he was asked if he would ever consider using a cart at a PGA Tour event. “I’ve got three more years, then I get the little buggy and be out there with Fred [Couples],” he replied. “But until then, no buggy.”
But he doesn’t need to talk about it. Plenty of people have given their two cents on the subject.
The latest is Colin Montgomerie.
The Scot is one of the finest players to ever grace the European Tour, winning 31 times. Only Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Woods – through co-sanctioned events – have won more.
And while Montgomerie never got over the line in a major, he didn’t waste any time once he was eligible for the Champions Tour, winning two Senior PGA Championships and a US Senior Open in his first two years on the over-50s circuit.
Now 62, Montgomerie has often spoken about his affection for the senior’s tour – mainly because it gives him the opportunity to play against his old rivals once again. It’s a perfect mixture of getting the competitive juices flowing and a nostalgic pining for the halcyon days.
And he’s hoping it will light a fire for Woods, too.
“Well, I think that it would be super for the PGA Tour Champions if Tiger is able to join us,” the Scot tells a small gathering of reporters to promote next month’s Skechers World Champions Cup.
“It will be great for the tour, great for sponsorship, and great for television, just as it was when he joined the PGA Tour as a rookie.
“We all wish him well. We all hope that Tiger will play as much he is able to play, especially the majors. It will make them bigger and better.”
Of course, the pair have previous. At the 1997 Masters, Montgomerie was World No.3 and and Woods was the new kid on the block. Heading into the weekend first and second on the leaderboard, Montgomerie was feeling confident. “I’ve got more experience, a lot more experience, in major championships than he has,” he said. “And hopefully I can prove that.” He would go on to finish 24 shots back of the youngster, who put the first of what would turn out to be 15 major trophies in his cabinet.
Eight years later, Montgomerie was runner-up to Woods at The Open in St Andrews. It was as close as he got to the American at any of those 15. Indeed, Montgomerie would only ever finish above Woods at 10 of the 57 majors in which they both started – and three of those were before the latter joined the pro ranks.
Perhaps, then, Montgomerie sees this as an opportunity to improve those numbers.
“To compete against him once again, looking for his name on the board, looking for his score, as we always did in major championships. Where is he? What did he do today? Have we got a chance or not?”
He smiles, before adding: “Generally not. So it would be great.
“And [there would be] no asterisk if you win a major now because Tiger was in the field!”
Small footnote, Monty: Woods is not, and has never been, eligible to play in those majors. Please enjoy your trio of victories guilt free.
And to think, the Montgomerie and Woods were at each other’s throats as little as two years ago.
What are others saying about Tiger Woods joining the Champions Tour?
Padraig Harrington: “I met Tiger recently and he said he was looking forward to coming out onto the Champions Tour. So he has an intention of playing. I think his words were, ‘I can’t wait to beat you out on the Champions Tour or something like that’. He doesn’t want me to have it all my own way, let’s put it like that! I’m looking forward to the challenge.” (Today’s Golfer)
Ernie Els: “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. Beat us again… if you can!” (Palm Beach Post)
Jim Furyk: “The Champions Tour would obviously love to know his plans and for us, the players would love to have him come out. His impact would be incredible. But Tiger is Tiger. He plays things close to the vest.” (Golfweek)
Davis Love III: “I’m hoping he’ll play. Tiger could play [senior] major championships and probably be competitive if he could get healthy. I’m hoping he’ll play, and I hope I see him in Hawaii in January. That would be a nice start to the year.” (Golfweek)
Bernhard Langer: “It would be a thrill to see Tiger come out and play the Champions Tour, and I’m convinced he will play several. Depends how many. He always moves the needle. He’s a very exciting personality to watch, and it would be fantastic for Tiger and for our tour to be competing out there, and I think all the players would welcome him.” (Reuters)
Paul Azinger: “There’s a lot of anticipation. A lot of guys are going to be in shape and ready and try to beat Tiger if they can. I think Tiger might even feel an obligation to play. The Tour has given Tiger a lot of money the last few years with that Player Impact Program. I’m sure he’s going to give back, and it’s going to be to all the benefit of these guys out here that are over 50.” (Sports Illustrated)
Billy Andrade: “What happens to everyone is they get out here and it’s a major adrenaline rush,” Andrade said. “I think his competitive nature is going to trump anything else and he’s going to want to play. (Golfweek)
PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady: “We’re ready. We’re well prepared. We’ve done some whiteboarding over the past year in preparation for Tiger turning 50. And if and when he plays, our tournaments are prepared. It is going to be more security, buses, portalets, concession stands – all of that is taken into account when we plan for that.” (Golf Channel)
When might Tiger Woods tee up on the Champions Tour in 2026?
The 2026 PGA Tour Champions season will begin at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii on January 21.
But while Woods has hinted at teeing up in the TGL when the second season of his simulator league gets underway in the New Year, it would be a push for him to tee up on the Pacific island as he continues rehab from his latest bout of surgery.
Instead, there’s a number of possibilities throughout the season.
The Chubb Classic and James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in February are both not far from his home in Florida, nor is the first major – the Senior PGA Championship – in April, though it is a week after the Masters.
The Insperity Invitational, in May, is in an interesting one – especially as Woods has recently signed a commercial partnership deal with the headline sponsor, while June’s American Family Insurance Championship is hosted by his good friend Steve Stricker.
There is then a run of three majors in a month.
Having already won the US Junior, US Amateur, and US Open, the US Senior Open in July gives Woods the chance to be the first player to complete the ‘USGA Slam’.
Then there’s the Kaulig Companies Championship – formerly the Senior Players Championship – which is at Firestone, where Woods has won eight times in his storied career, followed by the ISPS Handa Senior Open at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Other tournaments being held at courses on which Woods has previously triumphed include The Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills in August, and the Pure Insurance Open at Pebble Beach in September.
