PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The elephant in the room is the tiger.
Like Tiger Woods.
As for Woods’ absence from this week’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, other stars who will be in attendance include defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who just won his second Arnold Palmer Invitational in three years. There is also a lot of talk about the players.
Woods was widely expected to play this week. That would naturally follow his stated plan to play one tournament a month, including a major championship.
Woods was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational at Riviera last month after coming down with what he called the flu, forcing him to run off the course in the middle of the second round.
Brad Faxon, who was also in the field, reported that he was healthy enough to play in the prestigious annual Seminole Pro Membership Tournament nine days ago, and that PGA Chief Executive Officer He paired up with CEO Seth Waugh and was said to be hitting the ball extremely well.
But as the deadline to qualify for The Players Championship approached on Friday, Woods’ name was nowhere to be found.
And we haven’t heard anything from him one way or another – it’s not like he owes anyone an explanation.
But it would be unconventional for him to enter next month’s Masters without having played a round and a half of tournament golf (assuming he does, since we don’t know in Woods’ case).
Woods last competed in The Players Championship in 2019, just before his historic Masters victory in April of that year. Technically, he only has one year of eligibility left to play in The Players until 2025, as he was granted a five-year exemption after winning the Masters in 2019.
Just because Woods won The Players in 2001 and 2013 doesn’t automatically mean he’s eligible for future appearances.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was asked Tuesday whether there would be a “special” category that would allow past champions like Woods to play at any time.
“I think you all know Tiger well and you know he wants to compete in every competition,” Monaghan said. “That’s his makeup.”
Xander Schauffele was asked Tuesday if he missed Woods on the field.
“He went through a bit of a tough time with his body and everything, but [but] “I think if there’s anyone to stick your head in the sand and talk about finding a way to win another golf tournament, it’s him,” he said. “So, as his rival, I pull him pretty hard. He’s like the heartbeat of golf, in my opinion, and whenever he tees up, it’s spectacular.”
Patrick Cantlay added, “Anytime he plays, we all feel good for it. We know we’re working hard to get him healthy and playing, so we’ll get him here as soon as possible.” We want to take them to as many events as possible.”
Scheffler, the world No. 1 ranking he once held for a record number of weeks during Woods’ prime, said he couldn’t wait to watch Woods play again.
“I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell you how many there are.” [tournaments] We took off,” Scheffler said. “He’s definitely the best player I’ve ever seen and I think the best player we’ve ever played. To stand there and walk with him and play in the same golf tournaments as him. Anytime you can do it, it’s really special.
“I had the honor of playing with him at the Masters a few years ago. That was the day he finished 10th. He’s totally different from everyone else. He won a lot of golf tournaments and He made a 10 on No. 12 at Augusta, birdied five of the last six holes, and today is Sunday. So it’s completely meaningless to him, like at that stage of his career. , what’s the point?
“And just for him to step up there and completely turn things around…I kid you not, he’s hitting three of the best iron shots I’ve ever seen, to this day. I hit it on the last few holes and it was just “incredible to watch.” I think it would be really special for all of us to be able to get him out here to a game or play. ”
But that moment will have to wait — perhaps several more weeks before the world waits for him to appear in Augusta.
