Tiger Woods has been racking up the frequent flyer miles this past week, bouncing from coast to coast like a man with far too many obligations and not enough time. Sunday saw him awkwardly moonlighting as a commentator at the Genesis Invitational in California—because apparently, being one of the greatest golfers of all time means you can get prime opportunities to talk about the game. Then, on Tuesday night in Florida, he graced his struggling TGL golf league with his presence, managing to embarrass himself in the process.

By Thursday, Woods was in Washington, D.C., because, of course, when billionaires and oil money are squabbling over the future of golf, Tiger is expected to show up and give photographers great photo opps. The White House meeting was reportedly nudged along by none other than Donald Trump, Woods’ golf buddy from Palm Beach County—because nothing says “integrity” quite like a man who literally owns golf courses trying to broker a deal. Also at the table: PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Arabia’s money man, YAsir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the bottomless pit of cash behind LIV Golf. Just to keep things looking official, fellow golfer Adam Scott tagged along, fulfilling the role of “other guy in the room.”

But wait, here’s the kicker. Woods also made an appearance at a Black History Month event at the White House, because nothing says genuine advocacy like squeezing in a heritage celebration between meetings with billionaires.

The Never-Ending PGA Tour vs. LIV Saga

For those still pretending this is about “the spirit of the game,” here’s a refresher: Back in 2021, the Saudis decided golf needed more of their money and started poaching PGA Tour players with ludicrous paychecks. Big names like Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau jumped ship, while Woods famously turned down a reported nine-figure offer—perhaps because he already has more money than he knows what to do with.

The PGA Tour, in an act of righteous indignation (and, let’s be real, panic), lashed out against LIV, decrying it as a Saudi “sportswashing” project designed to distract from, among other things, the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Meanwhile, Al-Rumayyan, the PIF chief present at Thursday’s meeting, has his own legal baggage, with allegations that he helped “destroy” the family of a former Saudi intelligence official. Nice guy.

LIV players, for all their riches, were effectively blacklisted from the PGA Tour, relegated to the sidelines except for major tournaments. And because LIV’s quirky format doesn’t count for much in the World Golf Rankings, only two of its players—Tyrrell Hatton (No. 8) and DeChambeau (No. 13)—are even in the top 50. So much for world domination.

Woods’ Take on the Merger: Optimism or Obligation?

Despite all the drama, a PGA-LIV merger has supposedly been in the works since 2023. Woods was initially involved in talks but ducked out due to the death of his mother.

Now, he’s back with a fresh dose of optimism—because what else is he going to say? Speaking at his own Genesis Invitational, Woods claimed, “I think things are going to heal quickly.” Sure, Tiger. Because when billions of dollars, lawsuits, and bruised egos are involved, resolution is always just around the corner.

According to Woods, fans just want to see the best players together, and that’s what the powers-that-be are “going to make happen.” Whether that actually happens, or whether this circus drags on for another few years, remains to be seen. But at least one thing’s clear: Tiger Woods will keep showing up when the cameras—and the checkbooks—call.

Damon Hack, a popular on-air host and reporter for Golf Channel and NBC since 2012, was presented the APGA Media Award in recognition of Hack’s dedication to amplifying diverse voices and telling stories that inspire progress and inclusion. Hack has broadcasted the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational for the last three years and has interviewed multiple APGA Tour players on Golf Today.

Damon Hack joined GOLF Channel in 2012 and currently serves as host for Golf Today and Golf Central. Additionally, Hack serves as an on-site reporter for NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage.

In addition to his duties with GOLF Channel as part of NBC Sports Group, Hack in 2018 served as an on-site reporter for NBC Olympics, covering the biathlon competition in PyeongChang. Hack came to GOLF Channel from Sports Illustrated, where he covered golf and the NFL. Before joining the magazine, he covered golf and the NFL for The New York Times and golf and the New York Knicks for Newsday. He also previously covered the San Francisco 49ers for the Sacramento Bee.

Born in Los Angeles, Hack graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in history, and from UC Berkeley with a master’s degree in journalism. Hack is the father of triplet sons and currently resides in Connecticut with his family.

GILBERT, AZ: Mark Lowry, Founder and President, located in Gilbert, AZ has announced the formation of a partnership between the National Golf Player Development Foundation™ (“NGPDF), and world-class club fitter, Club Champion, to provide elite club fitting services to members of the NGPDF who are pursuing the development of competitive golf playing skills.

Mr. Lowry noted, “The collaboration between the NGPDF and Club Champion will allow NGPDF members to access facilities and state of the art club fitting services through local Club Champion stores nationally. The relationship will provide access to Club Champion’s faculties and expert fitters, and that will provide optimal equipment and age-appropriate fittings for NGPDF members as they achieve physical and skill maturity. This will help NGPDF members improve their skills training and provide analytics to improve playing capabilities.

He also noted that, “The joint collaboration creates opportunities for:”

1. Fittings for NGPDF members. 
2. Member discounts on all product at Club Champion
3. Club Champion will play a supporting role for NGPDF fundraising efforts  
4. Club Champion will provide annual swing analysis reports that will assist NGPDF members to determine metrics (e.g. swing speed, ball speed, launch angle, dispersion, etc.).  

Nick Sherburne, Founder and EVP of Operations at Club Champion, said, “The NGPDF is doing great work and we’re proud to be even a small part of their efforts. Youth golfers can sometimes be overlooked; we see this partnership as a step toward acknowledging their games and their hunger to play their best.”

Lowry noted, “The relationship with Club Champion supports our mission to provide resources and services to increase opportunities to develop competitive players from underserved communities.  We are appreciative of the commitment from Club Champion to support our young NGPDF members.”

About The Founder
Mark Lowry’s work and success with instituting a player development system was well documented in the mid-90s when, in 1995, he was selected to create and launch the Chicago Public School’s Elementary school golf training program to feed a struggling High School team program.  By 1998, the program began to receive national acclaim as over forty elementary schools were offering after school golf instruction while simultaneously, Mark expanded the high school golf program with growth from nine of the CPS system’s seventy-three high schools to over thirty who competed and advanced from city competition to producing qualifiers at the regional and state level. In 1998, Lowry joined the new industry initiative, The First Tee, where for 20 years he held positions in senior leadership.  Lowry played a key role in developing the strategies that would guide the development and operations of the organization from a concept to a nationally recognized youth golf development organization.  As Vice President of Network Management, Mark oversaw the development and support of the organization’s eight national regions and over 150 network chapters. These experiences gave rise to the National Golf Player Development Foundation™ (NGPDF).

Lowry says, “The time has come to support the efforts of the players, parents, organizations and institutions that are working to deepen the competitive player pool of players of color. The NGPDF, through its efforts to secure individual, corporate and industry funding resources and developmental partnerships, will identify deserving young players of color and provide support to individuals, programs and institutions that equally share the goal to increase the competitive player pool representing minority communities.”

For more information on NGPDF please contact us at: 
National Golf Player Development Foundation™
www.ngpdf.org
(480) 294-3532
[email protected]

NATIONAL GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION™, is a Not For Profit 501c3 established to create funding sources to create additional funding sources to: 1)Support the development of skilled, competitive male and female golfers of color; 2) Connect aspiring golfers of color with instructors and development programs in their local community; 3) Assist in connecting competitive golfers of color with programs and tournaments that will advance their developmental skills at strategic competitive levels that include junior golf, high school, collegiate and professional and assist with support resources to educate parents, coaches and instructors involved with the development of competitive golfers of color.  The NGPDF has established both a governance and advisory board.

The mission of the National Golf Player Development Foundation™, is, “To provide unprecedented funding opportunities to programs that provide skill development and playing opportunities to young people of color and connect them to premier experiences in competitive golf.”

About Club Champion

Club Champion is the globe’s most prominent name in custom club fitting and building services. Established in 2010, there are now more than 125 Club Champion locations internationally. Each studio offers golfers access to over 65 brands and more than 65,000 hittable head and shaft combinations. Club Champion has solidified their position at the top of the industry through comprehensive Tour-level fittings, unrivaled club building, and the use of top-tier technology. The company is headquartered in Willowbrook, IL and is home to more than 400 employees, including hundreds of the most highly trained Master Fitters in the world. For more information about Club Champion, visit clubchampion.com

For decades, African American men in Augusta National Club’s all-Black caddie corps carried the bags of golf legends while being barred from playing the course themselves. NBC News’ Priscilla Thompson sits down with Jim Dent—a former caddie who rose to become a professional golfer. Dent opens up about his remarkable journey, sharing how he overcame obstacles to secure a dozen victories on the Senior PGA Tour.

American professional golfer Jim is known for his powerful driving and success on the PGA Tour Champions. Born on May 9, 1939, in Augusta, Georgia, Dent grew up near Augusta National Golf Club, where he developed an interest in the sport while working as a caddie.

Despite facing racial barriers that limited opportunities for Black golfers during his early career, Dent persevered and turned professional in 1966. Though he never won on the PGA Tour, he found tremendous success on the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions), where he won 12 tournaments between 1989 and 1998. His victories included multiple Florida PGA Seniors Championships and the 1990 Vantage Championship. Known for his exceptional length off the tee, Dent was one of the longest hitters of his era.

Beyond his playing career, Dent has been recognized for his contributions to the game and his role in inspiring future generations of African American golfers. His perseverance and skill helped break down racial barriers in professional golf. Today, he remains a respected figure in the sport, celebrated for his impact on the Senior Tour and his lasting legacy in golf history.

Tiger Woods has announced his return to competitive golf following the passing of his mother, Kultida. The 15-time Major champion had withdrawn from the event at Torrey Pines to grieve, but he now plans to resume play during the upcoming block of TGL matches. His mother, who was 80 years old, passed away on February 4, just over a week after watching him compete in the tech-driven competition he helped launch earlier this year.

On January 27, ahead of the Jupiter Links vs. Boston Common match, Woods shared a lighthearted moment with his mother, joking that he was “not gonna suck tonight,” to which she smiled. He delivered on his promise, helping Jupiter Links secure a 4-3 overtime victory. Now, after taking time to mourn and reflect, the 82-time PGA Tour champion will make his competitive return on February 18 at SoFi Center, where Jupiter Links will face New York Golf Club.

Grieving is a deeply personal and complex process, often marked by waves of emotions ranging from sadness to moments of reflection and gratitude. For Woods, returning to golf may serve as a way to honor his mother’s memory, finding solace in the game they shared for decades.

The upcoming schedule features three matches on Presidents Day, followed by a solo contest in TGL’s usual Tuesday slot. Woods will team up with Kevin Kisner and Tom Kim to compete against Cameron Young, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Initially, Woods was set to play at the Genesis Invitational—a tournament he also hosts—but ultimately withdrew, explaining that he was “just not ready” to compete so soon after his loss.

In a statement, Woods expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, saying, “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss. Thanks to everyone who has reached out.” In tribute to Kultida, the Genesis Invitational displayed an all-white pin flag on the seventh hole at Torrey Pines, honoring her Buddhist faith, where white symbolizes purity, wisdom, and longevity.

Woods has not played a PGA Tour event since The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024, where he missed the cut. After undergoing his sixth back surgery, he returned to competition in December, finishing as the runner-up alongside his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship. Now, as he takes another step forward, fans will watch closely to see how Woods navigates both his personal loss and his return to professional golf.

Tiger Woods has taken drastic action to safeguard his luxurious Florida mansion from potential structural damage.

The 49-year-old golf legend, who boasts an estimated net worth of $1.26 billion due to his extraordinary career—including 15 major championship victories and lucrative sponsorship deals—has invested heavily in his Jupiter Island estate. The sprawling property, valued at approximately $54 million, has undergone an additional $15 million in renovations to make it the ideal long-term residence.

According to Re-Thinking the Future, a significant portion of that investment was dedicated to installing stabilizers beneath the home’s foundation. Engineers were brought in to take these extreme measures amid concerns that the mansion was sinking. Given its location on Jupiter Island, which is surrounded by water and prone to flooding and hurricanes, Woods spared no expense to ensure his property’s safety.

Set on 12 acres of prime Florida land, Woods’ lavish estate is more than just a home—it’s a personal retreat designed to accommodate his athletic lifestyle. The property boasts:

• A private golf course
• Two swimming pools (one for diving and another for lap swimming)
• Tennis courts
• An oxygen treatment room
• A state-of-the-art gym filled with high-end equipment

These upgrades allow Woods, who redefined the physical demands of professional golf, to continue his strict workout regimen without ever leaving the premises. While his training may not be as intense as it once was, Woods has always been known for his grueling fitness routine.

A Glimpse Into Woods’ Former Training Regimen

Speaking to The Golf Channel, Woods once detailed his rigorous daily routine:

“I used to get up in the morning, run four miles, then I’d go to the gym, do my lift. Then I’d hit balls for two to three hours. I’d go play, come back, work on my short game. I’d go run another four more miles, and then if anyone wanted to play basketball or tennis, I would go play basketball or tennis. That was a daily routine.”

Woods has been cautiously making his way back to competitive golf following back surgery in September. His return has been challenging—he finished last among those who made the cut at The Open last July. Most recently, Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational, revealing that he was not emotionally ready to compete following the passing of his mother. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss,” he shared. As he navigates this difficult time, fans continue to support Woods, eager to see the golf icon return to the sport he has dominated for decades.