Is Tiger Woods Retiring? Latest PGA Tour Move Sheds Major Career Concerns

via Reuters

It has been an eventful few years for the legend of golf. From the accident in 2021 to the Masters withdrawal in 2023 owing to plantar fasciitis and his comeback in the Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods has truly turned many heads in the community. Interestingly, he dominated the headlines yet again when he took up the position of Vice Chairman in the newly formed PGA TOUR Enterprises. However, one can’t help but wonder if this development hints at a possible retreat from the Jay Monahan-led circuit.

The golfer has played the game professionally for a total of 27 years, out of which his final win came in 2019 at the Zozo Championship. Moreover, his recent performance coupled with his decision to serve as the VC of the for-profit entity truly paints a concerning picture for the golfer’s future on the circuit.

The end of Tiger Woods’s 27-year-long professional career?

One of the many responsibilities of being a member of the PGA TOUR Enterprises Board of Directors is to lead all commercial activities related to the men’s circuit all the while keeping fan engagement and growth, and the development of new media, finance, and commercial opportunities at the focal point. However, for someone like Mr. T, who is at the top rungs of the body, it would be a bit hectic to be able to simultaneously keep to his responsibility as a Vice-Chairman and as a golfer.

The professional had become a Player Director on the Tour’s Policy Board back in August 2023, months before his comeback. Interestingly, it has been reported that all the members of the circuit’s PAC will be working on the for-profit entity’s board at the same time. Seems free time would be very hard to come by for the Hall of Famer.

What’s more, his new tech-infused league is all set to kick off in 2025. The new venture, which he and Rory McIlroy founded together, was on the verge of announcing the schedule and team names for the remaining cities and thus, will undoubtedly take up a lot of the athlete’s time in the coming months.

There’s more to the 48-year-old’s schedule than this. His dedication to making golf courses, such as the El Cardonal Golf course which saw its first PGA Tour event being played at the World Wide Technology Championship, will become another commitment that he would be keen on fulfilling. But, there may be more to his schedule in the future as well, courtesy of a PGA Tour Champions professional.

The Steve Stricker Invitation

Was that all that hinted at his possible goodbye from the league? Not at all. Steve Stricker had, recently, revealed his desire to invite the 15-time major champ to an event on the PGA Tour Champions, at the Zurich Classic. During a chat with the hosts of The Loop podcast, the senior pro was visibly excited at the prospect all the while divulging his plans to as the same.

“I think I’m going to text him and say, hey let’s do this… Let’s get together one more time,” said Stricker as he dubbed the prospect of playing together as nothing short of fun. Besides, the 57-year-old also hoped for the athlete to regain his form so that he could play golf better. Thus, the timing of both the 82-time PGA Tour champ becoming a VC and the teammate invitation from the senior pro does shed a concerning light on the golfer’s future on the Monahan-led circuit.

Woods’s recent form on the PGA Tour

Currently at the 916th position on the OWGR, his return to the sport at the Hero World Challenge did not go the way he imagined it to be. The 1997 Masters Tournament champ finished T18 among a field of 20 golfers all the while scoring an even-par 288, with figures of 75-70-71-72 over the four days of play.

Following the event, he took part in the 2023 PNC Championship along with his son Charlie Woods. Interestingly, the duo managed a T5 finish tied with four other teams at a score of 19-under over two days of play. Now, enter 2024. The golfer has just played a single event at the Genesis Invitational. However, unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw from the tournament owing to symptoms of influenza and dehydration leading him to be unable to finish even the second round, let alone four.

Combining his new responsibilities along with his possible future on the Senior golfer’s circuit and the bleak future on the PGA Tour does paint a not-so-rosy situation for Woods. Nevertheless, one can only wait and see what the future holds for the 15-time major champ, as he strives to develop the Tour as a Vice Chairman!