There is unfortunately a question mark over what the future holds for Tiger Woods with the 15-time major champion announcing this month that he had undergone back surgery.
Tiger Woods was already sidelined after rupturing his Achilles earlier this year. The worry after this latest setback is that Woods did not mention golf in his statement.
Some do not think Woods will play in another major. But surely, the 49-year-old will ensure that the 2024 Open Championship is not the final time he tees it up in one of the sport’s four biggest events.
He deserves to bow out at Augusta National or the Old Course. He deserves to go out on his terms.
What would certainly help is if Woods is able to take a cart. Walking major championship golf courses takes a huge toll on anyone’s body, let alone someone who has had numerous surgeries over the last two decades.
What Tiger Woods has said about using a cart on the PGA Tour
Woods, however, ruled out the prospect of using a cart on the PGA Tour during the 2024 PNC Championship.
“I wouldn’t, no. No. Absolutely not,” he said, as reported by Golf Digest. “Not for a PGA Tour event, no. That’s just not who I am. That’s not how I’ve always been, and if I can’t play at that level, I can’t play at that level.”
Perhaps the rules could yet change to allow carts to be used. But there is arguably one very good reason why that is unlikely to tempt Woods into a rethink.
Woods is tied for the most wins in PGA Tour history alongside Sam Snead. According to official records, the pair have 82 victories each.
There is a debate to be had over the legitimacy of the two tallies, with Golf Digest writing an article that suggested that Woods would be credited with 95 victories if the same criteria was used for both men.
However, when Woods won the ZOZO Championship in 2019 – the victory which took him level with Snead – he was in no doubt that it was a significant moment.
“It’s just crazy. It’s a lot. I’ve been able to be consistent most of my career and I’ve put myself up there with a chance to win on a number of occasions. There’s plenty of times where I didn’t, but today was one of those days where I was going to pull it out. It’s been a long week, five days at the top of the board is a long time. It was definitely stressful,” he said.
So in Woods’ mind, 83 is indeed the target.
History and legacy are too important to Tiger Woods
With history within his grasp, it is hard to imagine that there is any way that Woods would be comfortable using a cart.
He has too much respect for the history of the game. And given his previous comments, he would surely view using a cart as too much of a shortcut.
Of course, Woods looks to be some way off being ready to contend for another victory on the PGA Tour. As mentioned, some are doubtful that he will ever play in another major.
But Woods will not tee it up in a tournament unless he believes that he has a chance at winning, no matter how slim that chance is.
So he will almost certainly have no interest in using a cart. He will not want an 83rd victory – should it come – to have any sort of an asterisk against it.
The number is too important. If Woods is going to get there, he is going to make sure that he does it having walked all 72 holes.
And in truth, despite how bleak the situation looks right now, it should not surprise anyone if he somehow manages it.
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