Tiger Woods Speaks Out: Health Struggles, PGA Tour-PIF Talks, and Ryder Cup Compensation
Even though Tiger Woods won’t be teeing it up at this week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the 15-time major champion is still making headlines. Woods, who hosts the unofficial tournament, met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since missing the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland back in July. And as always, when Tiger talks, the golf world listens.
During the pre-tournament press conference, Woods opened up about a variety of topics, including his ongoing health issues, his uncertain playing schedule for 2025, the PGA Tour’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the hot-button issue of Ryder Cup compensation for players. Let’s break it all down.
Tiger’s Health: A Long Road to Recovery
Woods won’t be part of the 20-man field competing at Albany Golf Club this week. Last year, he made a return to the event after a seven-month layoff, finishing 18th at even par, a full 20 strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler. This year, however, Woods is still recovering from microdecompression surgery he underwent in September to relieve nerve pain in his lower back. This follows surgery in 2023 to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right foot and ankle, stemming from his 2021 car accident.
“I’m not physically ready yet to compete at this level,” Woods admitted. “The times I have come back here, I was ready to start competing and playing again. Unfortunately, not this time. I still need to keep training to give myself the best chance going into next year and the events ahead.”
At 48 years old, Woods didn’t provide a clear timeline for his return to competitive play, saying, “I truly don’t know.” While he has previously played alongside his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship—an event where he’s allowed to use a cart—there’s no confirmation he’ll participate this year. If not, fans might have to wait until the Genesis Invitational in February, which Woods hosts, or even the Masters in April to see him back in action.
Reflecting on his 2024 season, Woods acknowledged the toll his back condition took on his game. He made just five starts on tour, missing three cuts and withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational due to illness. “I had to toss [the season] away,” he said. “I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and I didn’t play as much as I needed to going into the major championships, and I didn’t play well at them. Hopefully, next year will be better.”
Despite the setbacks, Woods remains optimistic. “The relief I had [from the surgery], I didn’t have a spasm, I didn’t have the nerve pain, so that was fantastic,” he said. “But I also understood that I still have a long road ahead of me of rehab and recovery. We’ll continue doing all the gym work and protocols, and eventually, it will lead to something where I can compete again.”
PGA Tour-PIF Negotiations: Progress, But No Deal Yet
It’s been nearly a year since the PGA Tour’s framework agreement with the DP World Tour and the PIF expired on Dec. 31, 2023. While there have been signs of progress—like a meeting in New York in September and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan playing golf with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in October—no deal has been finalized.
As a member of the PGA Tour’s policy board and vice chair of the PGA Tour Enterprises board, Woods has been involved in the negotiations. On Tuesday, he admitted, “All of us who have been a part of this process would have thought it would have happened quicker than this.”
Woods also acknowledged the scrutiny any agreement will face from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and European regulators. “Even if we had gotten a deal done by now, it’s still in the DOJ’s hands,” he said. “But we wish we would have had something more concrete and further along than we are right now.”
Sources told ESPN that sticking points include the role of team golf in the sport’s future and how LIV golfers will return to the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the PIF is also negotiating with the DP World Tour about an alliance that could give LIV players access to European events.
“This has been a very difficult time in the game of golf,” Woods said. “We’re trying to unify that and give the fans the best experience we know we can give them.”
Ryder Cup Compensation: A Heated Debate
The Ryder Cup has always been about national pride, but should players be compensated for their participation? Last month, The Telegraph of London reported that U.S. golfers would be paid $400,000 to compete in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park. Currently, the PGA of America gives each American golfer $200,000 to donate to charity, but it’s unclear if the new stipend would go to players or charity.
Woods, who was involved in similar discussions before the 1999 Ryder Cup, said he supports compensation as long as the money goes to charity. “The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?” he asked. “What’s wrong with each player, 12 players, getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy it out to amazing charities they’re involved in?”
European captain Luke Donald and players like Rory McIlroy have expressed opposition to compensation, emphasizing the event’s team spirit. But Woods believes the event’s financial success could benefit more causes. “If the Europeans want to pay to play in the Ryder Cup, that’s their decision,” he said. “I just think we can give so much money to different charities.”
As always, Tiger Woods remains a central figure in golf, even when he’s not competing. Whether it’s his health, the future of the PGA Tour, or the Ryder Cup, his voice carries weight—and the golf world is paying attention.
Originally Written by: Mark Schlabach
