Tiger Woods should play in U.S. Senior Open when ready in 2 years; could make history

All eyes will be on the U.S. Senior Open this week as Bernhard Langer looks to defend his title at historic Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island.

But in two years’ time, another player will be eligible to compete and scare the hell out of everyone on the PGA Tour: 15-time major champion and nine-time USGA champion Tiger Woods.

Woods won the U.S. Junior Amateur three times and the U.S. Amateur three times in a six-year span from 1991 to 1996. He then won the U.S. Open three times, the first at Pebble Beach in 2000 and the last at Torrey Pines in 2008. The second came at Bethpage Black in 2002.

but, Adam Shupak Golf Week wrote If Woods wins the U.S. Senior Open on Monday, he will reach a rare feat: No player has ever won the U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open. If Woods wins the U.S. Senior Open, he will have won a record 10 United States Golf Association (USGA) championships. Currently, Woods and Bobby Jones hold the all-time record with nine titles each.

“I’m sure he wants to win a Grand Slam and then other senior majors,” Padraig Harrington told Shupak.

Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“I called him [PNC Championship] And then we just happened to cross paths and he grinned at me. I won’t tell you exactly what he said, but the gist was, he was dying to go out and beat me.”

Woods would undoubtedly like to hold all those records for himself; he loves competition and wants to be recognized as the greatest golfer of all time.

However, the PGA Tour Champions does allow competitors to ride in carts, which would be a big help to Woods. Woods has struggled to complete 72 holes at major championships, and having the assistance of a cart would eliminate many of those issues. However, in senior majors, players are required to apply for and receive carts under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“Getting in karting changed everything for him,” Ogilvie added to Shupak.

“The interest from fans and sponsors is going to be through the roof. I think there’s a good chance the Champions Tour ratings could surpass the PGA Tour if he decides to play. What else are you going to do?”

Woods will certainly help his son Charlie’s budding golf career, having recently qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur this summer. But the 82-time PGA Tour winner could use some playing time to reinvigorate his competitive spirit and liven up the Champions Tour, which he should do.

And if he does it, the golf world will be thrilled.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.