This week’s Players Championship, May 14-17, once again proceeds without Tiger Woods gracing the field. But the question lingers: why is the two-time winner absent from TPC Sawgrass this year?
Woods’ continued absence from The Players dates back to 2019, when he last competed and ended up in a modest T30 position. Now, in the final year of his exemption, he’s chosen to opt out once more from the PGA Tour’s flagship event, leaving many scratching their heads and feeling let down.
Securing his 15th Major victory at the 2019 Masters granted Woods a five-year entry pass into The Players. Yet, he’s failed to seize that opportunity due to recurring injury setbacks. Under the current criteria, Woods would need to clinch a PGA Tour event, capture a 16th Major title, or land in the top 125 of the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list to secure a return to The Players. His decision to forgo this week’s tournament adds another layer of disappointment, particularly given expectations that he would include The Players in his strategy of playing one tournament per month for the season.
The 48-year-old’s withdrawal from February’s Genesis Invitational due to illness further adds to the disappointment, with scarce details disclosed about his condition or his plans for a comeback.
With The Masters looming, all eyes are on Augusta as Woods’ April tournament destination. However, even if he does grace Magnolia Lane, it will be with just 24 tournament holes played at Riviera under his belt.
Speculation swirls around whether Woods has faced another injury setback or is meticulously planning his return with The Masters as his primary target. Nevertheless, his decision to skip The Players this year may have broader implications for his future involvement in the tournament, potentially signaling an end to his appearances at TPC Sawgrass. Talks of a new exemption for past champions at TPC Sawgrass have surfaced, but PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan doubts Woods’ willingness to accept it.
Despite being a prime candidate for such an exemption, Monahan believes Woods, a Player Director on the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, would be the most hesitant to embrace it. “Tiger’s character is such that he prefers to earn his place in every competition,” Monahan remarked. “That’s just who he is.
“However, as our organization evolves and strives to cater to its fervent fan base, broader discussions regarding such matters may take place during policy board meetings, and I’m sure they will be had.
“But convincing him would undoubtedly pose the greatest challenge.”
