Will Tiger Woods play on Champions Tour?

check in weekly Our writers and editors provide unfiltered opinions as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting: @golf_com. This week, we discuss Tiger Woods’ Champions Tour plans, Skin games and more.

Tiger Woods will host (but not compete in) his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this week as he is still recovering from recent back surgery. Even though Woods’ 50th birthday is coming up on December 30, it’s fueling more speculation about whether we’ll see Woods competing on the 50-and-over Champions Tour in the future. Woods has remained silent on the topic over the years, but has also revealed some subtle teases. Is it realistic for Woods to compete on the Champions Tour in any capacity? Can he succeed?

Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@joshsensgolf): If he were healthy and able to stand upright and swing, we would see less of him because of his competitive drive or cooperative agreement or some combination of the two. I don’t understand how he stayed away from it as completely as Nicklaus did. A healthy, swinging Woods would certainly have a chance to win.

Jack Hirsh, deputy equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): If he could get a cart (and someone else on the field), he would play. We know how competitive he is, and if the biggest issue is indeed walking (which all evidence supports), then we’ll see him at the PGA Tour Champions. He keeps us in suspense because he just doesn’t want any of his tour opponents to know what his game plan is. As for his success… would you bet against the people he whipped left and right? He used to win even with one hand tied behind his back. Now he’s going to prove he can do it with just one leg!

News Editor Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe): I think we could see him here and there on the Champions Tour, but I think if he can swing and think he can play competitively, he’ll be ready for everything around playing in the majors. Does participating in the Boeing Classic help? We may get to the point where Tiger only plays on the senior tour, but I don’t think he thinks he’s there yet. But if he plays, sure, he can beat the opponents he beat in his prime over 54 holes.

Despite his efforts to stay healthy and his game declining over the years, Woods remains golf’s biggest draw. What impact do you think Woods starting on the Champions Tour will have on the track? Will it be bigger than the PGA Tour stop that week?

Feel: There was a lot of excitement and ratings the first time around, but mostly it served as a curiosity and nostalgia trip. It’s kind of like a Bob Dylan concert now. You want to see it. You have to watch it at least once. But whether you actually need to see it that often is another matter. Personally, I would rather remember Woods as the exceptional athlete he was than watch him go through a nostalgia trip. So yes. I’m sure it will give the senior tour a little jolt, but wouldn’t it be healthier for everyone – Tigers, fans, tournaments – if we relaxed any hopes and expectations we have on the course?

Hersh: Depends on the PGA Tour stops that week. I saw him competing in high-level professional events and occasionally in some of the more prestigious tournaments, such as the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. The tournament does not feature any PGA Tour events. I see him being hesitant to play in an event like the Chubb Classic, the tour’s first continental stop, because it conflicts with the PGA Tour’s signature event at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He stays strategic when he plays.

Schrock: I’m sure when he tees off, it will inject some energy and cash into the track. This may make these events more popular than some of the smaller PGA Tour events because, as Lydia Ko said, even people who don’t know golf know Tiger Woods. But this is more of a nostalgic, feel-good viewing experience, and that’s about it.

The Skins Game returns to television on Friday as Keegan Bradley, Tommy Fleetwood, Sean Lowry and Xander Schauffele square off at Panthers National in Florida. what do you like? What don’t you like? Is that enough proof of its staying power?

Feel: My feeling about the event was like a partially reheated turkey: lukewarm. The players are all likable and some of the banter, especially Xander’s, is hilarious. But the amount of money they play the game for is obnoxious (unless I missed it, did I mention in passing that any proceeds will go to charity), and the disingenuousness of the broadcast in pretending that we should be excited about everyone’s bank balances instead of being put off by it makes me uneasy after Thanksgiving.

Hersh: Well, I found myself playing it in the background while doing some Black Friday Amazon stuff. I loved Keegan rowing with everyone and showing what could have been done at the Ryder Cup (holding back angry tears). Panther Nation looks pretty cool, too. But I’m with Josh. It fills a sports void on Black Friday morning and I think it’s worth it.

Schrock: Like most one-time attention-grabbing attempts in golf, it was lackluster. It has some great moments. The characters are interesting enough, but again I think Golf should veer into fewer lanes, not more, like Brian Rolapp seems to be heading towards. It’s okay for these unique events to happen once in a while, but I don’t think they need to return as a Black Friday tradition before NFL or college football games. As Tiger, Rory and others have pointed out before, golf can’t compete with football.

Our Josh Sens reveals the 2025 Turkey of the Year Awards, our annual awards for mistakes or other regrettable moments from the past 11 months. Who or what to take home your choice?

Sens: The abuse Bethpage fans hurled at Rory, no doubt about it. For a mix of brainless and ugly, this is hard to beat.

Hersh: I’ll elaborate on the Sens theme here and say it was the host who added in the chants of “F-You Rory” on the first tee. What are we doing?

Schrock: How could it not be what happened at Bethpage as the Europeans roared into a huge lead? If I had to pick a silver medalist, I’d probably choose Phil because of…well, everything.

Let’s wrap up the holidays with a simple (and cheesy) weekend. What are you grateful for in the world of golf?

Sens: I’ll look at your cheese and give you some sadness. But here’s an honest answer: Many of the friends I’ve made through golf on every continent where golf is played are right here in my hometown.

Hersh: My fiancée Becca hit a 5-wood long and high enough to hit and hold the green on the par-3 5th hole at Bandon Trails on the Trackman simulator this weekend! I don’t care if she plays golf more than once or twice a year, but it certainly doesn’t hurt the career!

Schrock: Extra cheese, anyone? Having a job that allows us to travel, play and cover golf is hard to beat. Not a bad way to “work”.

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