Tiger Woods showed he’s become golf’s elder statesman Tuesday, arriving early to chat with reporters at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. At nearly 49, he’s not just a player anymore – he’s the sport’s most influential voice.
“I’m not tournament sharp yet,” Woods admitted frankly. He won’t be competing this week against the world’s top 20 players at Albany. “When I’m ready to compete at this level, then I will.”
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Tiger Woods
378
199
$120,999,166
It’s been a tough road since his devastating 2021 car crash. Woods has only played 10 tournaments since then, struggling through four missed cuts and having to withdraw three times.
But while his playing future remains uncertain, his influence on golf’s future has never been stronger.
He’s stepped into a leadership void left by Rory McIlroy, who backed away from his prominent role after the PGA Tour’s controversial decision to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
In an unprecedented move, Woods joined the Tour’s policy board in August 2023 – with no term limit. He’s now at the center of complex negotiations between the Tour and the Saudis.
“Things are very fluid,” Woods said about the PIF talks. “We’re still working through it, it’s happening daily.”
He’s clearly frustrated by how long it’s taking to reach a deal. But he’s also careful with his words, knowing the Department of Justice still needs to approve any agreement.
“This has been a very difficult time in the game of golf,” Woods acknowledged. “We’re trying to unify it and give the fans the best experience we know we can give them.”
He tackled other hot topics too, including changes to Tour membership and whether Ryder Cup players should get paid. On that last point, he suggested players could receive money to donate to charities – addressing a debate that’s been around since the late ’90s.
For a guy who used to dodge controversial questions like they were sand traps, this new statesman version of Tiger is surprisingly direct. While he didn’t spill any secrets about the Saudi negotiations, his measured tone carried real weight.
“I think something will get done,” he said about reaching a deal with PIF. Coming from Tiger Woods, that means something.
The game’s biggest star has become its most important voice. And when Tiger talks, golf still listens.
