Everyone knows that the only other golfer to win 82 times on the PGA Tour is Tiger Woods. Given all the things he has done for sport, the 48-year-old received a lifetime exemption from the Tour’s side to play in any signature event from 2025. But the question that stalls everyone is if Woods will be able to play. The winning part is the hurdle that Woods has not been able to clear since the 2019 ZOZO Championship. And he might never be able to, as he gave the reason for it in 2017.
After going through 3 back surgeries and 5 knee operations, he came back in 2017, and in an interview with Peter Dawson, Woods revealed he could not get out of bed at one point. In between the conversation, the host asked if Woods thought he would never be able to play or win again. The 48-year-old replied that there were plenty of times he thought that. He further added that to play at the elite level and win, he had to refine his game. To do that, Woods expressed, “In order to do that you got to play a lot and I couldn’t play and you know playing you know once every three or four weeks, it’s not going to cut it.”
And that’s exactly what the 15-time major winner has been doing in the 2024 season, as he only made five starts, one of which ended in unfortunate withdrawal. Playing only three to four events a season has been the norm for Woods since the 2021 car accident. So, if going by his statement alone, it will be quite impossible for the 48-year-old to win again on the PGA Tour, let alone a 16th major. Interestingly, after his return in 2017, Woods won three more events in the next two years. This may indicate that he can repeat a similar showing in the coming season, but can he?
Potentially, no. The 2017 comeback was different than the 2024 one. Even with the several raging surgeries, it was not as bad as the 2021 car accident. That one night in February left Woods more injured than his other injuries had in the past. His right ankle is surgically repaired and although isn’t painful, cannot be how it was before. Coupled with his fused back, it makes it impossible for him to win or to play regularly on the PGA Tour. Furthermore, even the fewer starts have been a struggle for the 82-time PGA Tour winner, the 2024 season is the perfect example of it.
How has been Tiger Woods’s 2024 season?
From 2023 when Tiger Woods played only two official PGA Tour events, the 2024 season was a progress. At least he teed up five times. But except for one event in the whole season, the 48-year-old did not complete any other. His 2024 debut was at the Genesis Invitational. Woods started optimistically and wanted to card his first win at Riviera. After posting 72 in the first round, the 82-time PGA Tour winner had to withdraw from the event as he caught influenza.
Then came the first men’s major of the year, the Masters. He shot 16 over 306 but made the cut for a 60th finish, this is the only event he played fully. Given his exemption at every major as he has won each plenty of times) Woods teed up at all, Valhalla, Pinehurst No. 2, and the Royal Troon. But he could not make it to the weekend play in any. So right now, the biggest challenge in front of the 48-year-old is not just winning, it is to make the 36-hole cut and play on the weekends.
Has Tiger Woods lost his magic touch, or is there still a comeback left in him?
Well, when he will do it again? Officially, not until the 2025 season starts. But he will probably play in the PNC Championship in December with his son, Charlie Woods, and might also tee up at the Hero World Challenge in Hawaii. Until the next season, the 15-time major champion will have to leave no stone unturned for contending and winning on the PGA Tour like he always used to.
