Tune in weekly for unfiltered opinions as our writers and editors analyze the sport’s hottest topics. Also, join the conversation by tweeting @golf_com. This week, we discuss Tiger Woods’ first public comments in months, the possibility of a new PGA Tour schedule, Rory McIlroy’s career major results, and more.
Tiger Woods held his annual press conference at the Hero World Challenge (won by Hideki Matsuyama) in the Bahamas, speaking to the media for the first time in months. Tiger touched on a variety of topics. What was most interesting to you?
Dylan Dethier, Senior Writer (@dylan_dethier): What intrigued me most was Woods’ involvement in the PGA Tour’s vision for the future. I’ve written about it here, but what’s interesting to me is the combination of Woods, the ultimate insider and currently one of the longest-tenured people on the tour at any position, and Lolap, the ultimate outsider with apparently very little golf-specific knowledge, as shapers of the future of the tour.
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Josh Berhow, Editor-in-Chief (@Josh_Berhow): I don’t think anyone expected this reporter to be so involved in the rumored schedule change, but I think Tiger talking about it adds legitimacy. The health update wasn’t surprising, but it was disappointing. I don’t think Tiger will be able to come back and play regularly these days, but it would be fun to see him healthy and playing a few times a year. All eyes are on the Masters.
James Colgan, News and Features Editor (@jamescolgan26): What interested me the most was Tiger’s comment on YouTube. He indicated that he feels the endless library of swing videos on the Internet is contributing to the revitalization of golf’s youth movement. From time to time, you’ll hear Woods say things that reflect how he thinks about golf on a completely different level than most people. One example is when he started talking about the “cut” and “draw” spin required for chip shots at Augusta National. This was something else.
Tiger also indicated that, as chairman of the Future Competition Committee, the tour is considering creating a shortened schedule (and avoiding the NFL) that could potentially begin in 2027, but did not provide further details. There’s been a lot of talk about the possibility of a new touring schedule in the future, but what’s the biggest hurdle to making it all happen?
Desir: Ironically, one of the things that touring wants to change is the same thing that’s stopping it from changing. With so many (buzzword alert) stakeholders and so many individual deals with so many different tournaments, it’s hard to get everything right for everyone without crossing a dozen red lines. In other words, tours are big ships, and turning big ships around is difficult.
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Berhow: Wow, I love the boat analogy, Dylan. Well done. But the answer is that there are many difficulties in making something like this happen. I’d like to have a schedule that brings together 70 or so talented players and puts them in the same 20 or so events a year (including majors), and suddenly there’s simplicity, continuity, differentiation, and heightened rivalry. But what about the middle class? How many members do you have? How are Korn Ferry tours factored in? What about smaller events? It’s frustrating that there isn’t a good way to do this yet, but I’m also glad that I’m not in charge of this. Because it can’t be easy.
Colgan: The history of major professional sports leagues is often determined by the coercive ability of their leaders. In baseball, this happened with the pitch clock. For basketball, on the first and second “aprons”. For soccer, the 2011 lockout. I think the biggest hurdle facing the PGA Tour is brute force, but we’ll soon see if Woods and PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolup are up to the challenge.
Six-time major champion Nick Faldo said it would be “tough” for Rory McIlroy to win another major title, partly because “it’s like climbing Mount Everest, you can’t look back and say, ‘Let’s climb it again next month.'” There were so many emotions at Augusta and you can never recreate the emotion of winning a major like that. ”Would you like to buy this? So, how many more majors will Rory win in his career?
Desir: Fuld is right that you can’t recreate that feeling. But you can definitely recharge and come back hungry for more. I’ll give Rory two more majors, seven total, one more than Rare Air and Faldo…
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Berhow: Strictly speaking, it seemed like a bit of a cheap shot, as you could say about any major champion these days. But that’s what makes them great. They find a way to maintain that momentum and keep pushing back against the goalposts. Rory would go on to win three more majors. He’ll have a good chance.
Colgan: The central part of Sir Nick’s argument here is wrong. That feeling was the biggest thing for Rory. hindrance It is not a superpower that can overcome the great drought. If Rory McIlroy had played more freely, more aggressively and with more confidence, he would have won eight majors in the last 10 years. And it is this freedom to live that version of himself that will accelerate the final stage of his competitive career.
The PGA Tour has announced the finalists for the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year Award, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Ben Griffin. It seems likely that Scottie will get his fourth straight win this year, but let’s look ahead. Will players not on this list be drafted this time next year?
Desir: Cameron Young. The second half of this season, with his wins and star Ryder Cup showing, was a turning point. The age of cams is upon us.
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Berhow:Tommy Fleetwood. Another guy is hot until late and will continue to grow. I also think a healthier Xander will bounce back and return to something close to his 2024 form.
Colgan: There are a lot of fun answers to this question. Part of the reason for that is the number of players who appear to be taking a half step back (due to injury, form, or other reasons) in 2025. I choose Ludvig Aberg, who was golf’s trendiest player after winning at Augusta in April. We’ve seen golfers take a step back in their second season as professionals, only to bounce back in their third year in a difficult manner. Aberg still has talent and it’s only a matter of time.
The PGA Tour and LPGA are merging for the Grant Thornton Invitational in Florida this week. Which combination of the two of you is most interesting to you?
Desir: Bud Corey and Jessica Korda have one simple reason. Because I haven’t seen Jess Korda play competitive golf in two years. In the meantime, her younger sister has managed to achieve a career’s worth of success, juggling some roller coaster falls. Have a fun week ahead.
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Berhow: Jessica Korda’s pick is good. I’m going with Luke Clanton and Lottie Ward, a pair of former Florida State standouts who have the potential to be stars on the big tour.
Colgan: I can’t explain why, but I feel like Windham Clark and Lexi Thompson have led similar lives. I’m looking forward to seeing their performance.
The post Tour Confidential: Lessons learned by Tiger Woods on the logistics of the upcoming PGA Tour schedule appeared first on Golf.
