Tiger Woods attended the studio that CBS has set up at the 18th hole of Torrey Pines this Sunday, during the live broadcast of the final day of the Genesis Invitational, a tournament where, as you know, he acts as host through his foundation. He answered questions from Jim Nantz, a regular commentator of tournaments on American television, and addressed various topics. The most important thing is that he made two predictions that will please the vast majority of fans. One regarding his own future and the other about the future of golf.
Regarding himself, Tiger confessed that his plan is to play more tournaments in 2025. It is his goal. Let’s remember that he announced his participation in the Genesis, although he ended up withdrawing at the beginning of this week, stating that he was not yet one hundred percent recovered from the passing of his mother Kutilda a few days ago. Well, he said he wants to play the Majors and some other important tournaments during the season. He sounded so convincing that it’s not unreasonable to think he might even play the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in early March.
“My goal was to play more and I haven’t played,” Woods said. “I have to work on that. This process was unexpected. I will recover from this and look forward to playing some major events,” he declared. It is assumed that, unless he suffers a new medical setback, we will see Tiger at the Masters, but it feels, given how positive he has been, and also his intention to play this week at Torrey Pines, that we will see him before. Who knows, maybe even at the Arnold Palmer and THE PLAYERS, although it’s hard to imagine Woods playing those two physically demanding weeks in a row. We’ll see.
Tiger did not want to specify exactly when he will play his next tournament, but his prediction was much more optimistic. Meanwhile, there will be an opportunity to see him again in the TGL next Tuesday, although this simulation circuit has nothing to do with real competition.
The other major prediction Tiger Woods made concerns the future of golf and the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF (Saudi Public Investment Fund) to achieve unification and thus see the world’s best competing together more often. Woods’ prediction has been the most optimistic heard in recent times, and everyone is more or less advancing that the final solution is near.
“We are in a very positive place. We had a meeting with the president. Jay and Adam did very well during the meeting and we have another meeting soon. Things are going to be resolved quickly. We are going to get golf going in the right way. It has been going in the wrong direction for several years and the fans want to see all the best players playing together and we are going to achieve that.” And he added that the reunification of golf is going to happen “very soon.” An extraordinary piece of news. Moreover, it feels like the agreement is already a reality and that the most suitable moment to announce it is being studied, or simply that some final bureaucratic hurdle should be overcome, in which Donald Trump himself should be involved.
Let’s remember that Tiger Woods played 18 holes last week with the President of the United States, whom the PGA Tour has asked for help to unlock the situation and facilitate the definitive agreement. As Jay Monahan said at the beginning of the week, it is not about the PIF investment in PGA Tour Enterprises, but a global calendar and unification agreement. What the vast majority of fans are really waiting for. That announcement is eagerly awaited.
Finally, Tiger spoke about his mother, thanked the support he has received in recent days, as well as the number of messages he has received. He admitted that Kutilda was the pillar of his life and shared a funny anecdote. “She wouldn’t let me play golf until I finished my school homework.” So, two important predictions and an extraordinary lesson.
