Tiger Woods won’t be swinging clubs at this week’s Hero World Challenge, but he had plenty to say at Tuesday’s press conference in the Bahamas.
The golf legend opened up about his health struggles, the future of professional golf, and some pretty big changes coming to the PGA Tour.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Tiger Woods
378
199
$120,999,166
“I had to toss this year away,” Woods admitted, discussing the back problems that derailed his season. He recently underwent another procedure to deal with leg pain, but he’s staying positive about 2024.
His previous goal of playing monthly tournaments? That’s up in the air now.
“I’m just trying to rehab and get stronger,” he said. “I want to give myself the best chance going into next year.”
As a member of the PGA Tour’s policy board, Woods also weighed in on the ongoing talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Everyone expected these negotiations to move faster, he explained.
“Things are very fluid,” Woods said. “We’re still working through it daily.”
One major change coming to the Tour: field sizes are shrinking from 125 to 100 players. Woods backs the move, saying it’ll create “a better product” for fans and sponsors. Plus, players will be “well compensated” going forward.
When asked about paying American Ryder Cup players, Woods had an interesting take. He suggested giving each player $5 million – but not for their pockets.
“It’s never really been about getting paid,” he explained. “It’s how can we allocate funds to help our sport or help things that we believe in back home?”
The 15-time major champion also shared some personal history, talking about his famous swing change after winning the 1997 Masters. It was a tough decision that took almost two years to perfect.
“I wanted to make a golf swing that was going to compete week in, week out,” Woods said. The gamble paid off – he dominated the tour from 1999 through 2001.
As for the future of golf’s biggest shake-up in decades? Woods keeps it simple: “Something will get done. In what form or shape, I don’t know yet.”
