Golfing legend Tiger Woods is widely expected to be part of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass this week, which would be part of the natural progression of the plan he has for his complete return. This plan consisted on playing one tournament per month, which includes major championships. But last month, Tiger was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational at Riviera citing what he called the flu as the reason for not participating. Woods was driven off the course in the middle of his second round. Nine days ago, Tiger seemed okay to play the annual Seminole pro-member tournament and was striking the bal remarkably well.

Tiger officially misses the Players Championship

But as the deadline to announce his participation to the Players Championship came, Tiger Woods‘ name was missing from the confirmed players’ list. Nobody has heard a thing from him to why he is not playing. On the other hand, Tiger doesn’t need to explain himself to why he isn’t playing this one. The people are curious to know the reason this happened, especially because Woods normally doesn’t head into the Augusta National Masters having only played a round and a half of one golf tournament this year. The last time Tiger Woods played the Players Championship was back in 2019, just before winning the historic Masters Championship in April that same year.

No. 1 in the world Scottie Scheffler echoes every other golf star’s sentiments for not having Tiger in this tournament. Saying: “I wish I had a crystal ball and I could tell you how many of those [tournaments] we had left. He’s definitely the best player I’ve ever seen, and I think he’s the best player we’ve ever had. Anytime you can stand up there and walk alongside him and compete in the same golf tournament as him is really special. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him at the Masters a couple years ago. It was the day he made the 10. He’s just so much different than the rest of us.

READ MORE ;Tiger Woods will NOT play the Players Championship next week as 15-time major winner misses the deadline to commit to the $25million tournament at TPC Sawgrass

“He’s won so many golf tournaments, and he makes a 10 on No. 12 at Augusta, and he birdies five of the last six holes, and it’s Sunday. I mean, it’s completely meaningless to him; like at that stage in his career, what’s the point? And for him just to step up there and completely turn it around … I kid you not, he hit still to this day, three of the best iron shots I’ve ever seen hit coming into those last few holes, and it was just unbelievable to watch. Anytime that we can get him out here competing and playing, I think it’s really special for all of us.”

The illustrious American golfer, Tiger Woods, will not partake in the Players Championship tournament.

The PGA Tour has unveiled a roster of 144 golfers slated to compete in the tournament, yet Tiger Woods’ name is notably absent. This premier PGA event is set to unfold this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Woods last graced the Players Championship in 2019, claiming victory in 2013.

The Players Championship boasts the largest purse in all golf tournaments, standing at a staggering $25 million. Typically, it attracts the top 50 players in the world rankings. However, unlike major championships, it falls under the auspices of the PGA Tour and is not an official event in other tours.

READ MORE ;Tiger Woods will NOT play the Players Championship next week as 15-time major winner misses the deadline to commit to the $25million tournament at TPC Sawgrass

As of 2023, the winner receives $4.5 million, representing 18% of the largest prize pool in golf. Additionally, they garner 80 points towards their world ranking, second only to majors where winners earn 100 points. By comparison, winners of other prominent tournaments receive between 65 and 70 points.

The legendary American golfer, Tiger Woods, has assumed a position on the board of directors at PGA Tour Enterprises. Woods has been appointed as the vice-chairman of the newly formed PGA Tour Enterprises company. It’s reported that their focus will be on fan engagement and growth, as well as the development of new media, sponsorships, and commercial opportunities.

Tiger Woods will not play at the Players Championship next week after the golf legends missed Friday’s 5pm ET deadline to commit to the tournament.

Woods, 48, had been widely expected to tee it up at TPC Sawgrass next week after he pledged to play an event a month in 2024 during his pre-tournament press conference at the Hero World Challenge in November.

He said that he ‘would have to start maybe at Genesis and something in March, near the Players.’

The 15-time major winner followed through on his promise to play the Genesis Invitational in February, which he did until he was forced to withdraw during the second round.

However, it appears the Players will not be the event ticking the box for March as the deadline to commit to the field passed without Woods on Friday afternoon.

READ MORE ;Will Tiger Woods Use a Golf Cart at Seminole Pro Member After Worrying Illness That Forced Genesis WD?

Tournament organizers released the full field Friday evening, listing Woods as one of four eligible player not committed, along with Will Gordon, David Lingmerth and Danny Willett.

It comes as somewhat of a surprise for the icon to skip the prestigious event with this year marking its 50th anniversary.

Woods is also exempt into the Players due to his 2019 Masters win, which comes with a five-year exemption.

After the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the pandemic, he gained an extra year of exemption with his eligibility extending to 2025.

The next event on the PGA Tour calendar following the Players is the Valspar Championship on Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort from March 21 to 24.

However, Woods’ absence from next week’s field could suggest that fans may have to wait until the Masters in April to catch a glimpse of the golfing great again.

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Woods has not played competitively on the Tour since his early exit from the Genesis last month.

He had his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour at Riviera Country Club cut short last month when he was forced to withdraw six holes into the second round of the Genesis Invitational due to illness.

Woods backed out of the Genesis after suffering ‘flu-like symptoms’ and entering his second round with a fever, his business partner and close friend Rob McNamara had said.

He entered the day hovering around the cut line after shooting a one-over-par 72 round yesterday – punctuated by a hard shank on the 18th hole at Riviera Country Club, which he attributed to a back spasm.

However, McNamara said his Friday departure from the tournament was not related to his back.

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The 82-time winner on the PGA Tour did play the prestigious Seminole Pro-Am on Monday.

Golf is a strenuous sport. It is especially so for a person such as Tiger Woods who came back to the game after a long hiatus owing to the health problems that arose after the accident in 2021. But there is a way in which the golfer can traverse the golf course without any worries. Yes, you guessed it right. Through a golf cart!

Many people do tend to use the vehicle on the grounds to prevent exhaustion. Besides, the 15-time major champ himself had gone through an unfortunate situation when he was escorted out of the Genesis Invitational on a cart due to his illness. Thus, one can’t help but wonder if he would go ahead and use the assistance at the upcoming Seminole Pro-Member!

A physical test for Tiger Woods at Seminole

Back in 2023, at the Hero World Challenge, the 48-year-old had said a resounding ‘No’ when asked about the same. Moreover, even at the PNC Championship that followed, the professional chose not to ride the vehicle on the golf course, all the while mentioning how physically fit he was during the father-son event.

Now, coming to the exclusive event at the Seminole Golf Club. Although the 82-time PGA Tour champ has the option of using one at his debut appearance at the elite-filled tournament, based on prior experiences, Woods would probably, if not certainly, decline the use of the golf cart on the course.

Moreover, he had expressed his thoughts during the PNC Championship in December when he said, “I felt like I was physically fit to do it, and also, walking is always better for my back.” Adding on, he continued, “I just wanted to keep it loose and keep it going, and we’re just having so much fun,” before going ahead to say how he had a good time walking the course with his son.

Woods has more often than not voiced his opinion against using assistance on the greens when it comes to the tournaments on the circuit. He has done so in tandem with the PGA Tour’s policy, which does not allow its athletes to use one unless there is the presence of a valid medical reason. But the case is different for an event like the Seminole Pro-Member.

On the other hand, when it comes to using carts at special tournaments, he has no qualms about it. “We wouldn’t be able to see the likes of Lee Trevino and Gary Player out here,” said the golfer back in 2021 at the PNC Championship when asked about using the vehicle before going ahead to mention how it would be beneficial for guys who are in their 80s out on the greens. Adding on, he said, “To be able to play with their child in this event, having a cart allows them to do that.” 

Well, although the upcoming match would allow one for the professional, chances are really low for Woods to use one. Especially so since he had divulged his ankle to be pain-free a while back!

Tiger Woods has been named as the recipient of this year’s Bob Jones Award by the USGA.

The Bob Jones Award is the highest honor from the USGA that recognizes his commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf’s traditions.

‘This award goes beyond playing performance, recognizing the lasting impact of one person’s journey that has forever changed the image and growth of golf,’ said Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA.

‘There are very few who stand alongside Tiger Woods in terms of on-course accomplishments, and he is in a class of his own when it comes to the impact he has made on the game and future generations who will play it.’

Woods is used to being honored for his performances on the course, where he has won 15 majors among his 82 career victories on the PGA Tour.

The 48-year-old Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022, and he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019.

Woods is a nine-time USGA champion, winning three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs, followed by three straight U.S. Amateurs, and then the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (2000), Bethpage Black (2002) and Torrey Pines (2008).

‘Bob Jones was a pillar of our game because of the integrity with which he played it, and I’m truly humbled to receive the award that bears his name and join the many who have received it before me who continue his legacy,’ Woods said in a statement.

READ MORE ;Tiger Woods named recipient of Bob Jones Award by USGA and to have ceremony ahead of US Open

Jones won the Grand Slam in 1930 when it was comprised of the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open and British Amateur. He later co-founded Augusta National Golf Club and created the Masters.

Off the golf course, Woods launched what now is called the TGR Foundation that emphasizes educational opportunities, along with STEM-based learning at the TGR Learning Lab in California. He also has started a golf course design firm. One of his courses in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, hosted a PGA Tour event last fall.

Woods will be honored June 12 during the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

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Previous winners include Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Mickey Wright and Ben Hogan, and former President George H.W. Bush.

Tiger Woods will be recognised in a ceremony during the US Open week this June; Former world No 1 has won the US Junior Amateur, US Amateur Championship and US Open three times during his career; 48-year-old has played a limited schedule in recent seasons

Tiger Woods has been selected to receive the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour from the USGA that recognizes his commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf’s traditions.

Woods typically is honoured for his performances on the course, where he has won 15 majors among his 82 career victories on the PGA Tour, but now follows Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan to win the accolade.

“This award goes beyond playing performance, recognizing the lasting impact of one person’s journey that has forever changed the image and growth of golf,” said Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA.

“There are very few who stand alongside Tiger Woods in terms of on-course accomplishments, and he is in a class of his own when it comes to the impact he has made on the game and future generations who will play it.”

Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump in 2019.

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The 48-year-old is a nine-time USGA champion, winning three straight US Junior Amateurs and US Amateur Championships before winning securing the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000, Bethpage Black in 2002 and Torrey Pines in 2008.

Woods will be honoured on Wednesday June 12 during the US Open at Pinehurst No 2 in North Carolina, although the 15-time major champion is currently not eligible to compete unless he is given a tournament exemption by the USGA.

Other past recipients of the Bob Jones Award include Mickey Wright, Francis Ouimet, Byron Nelson, Nancy Lopez, President George H.W. Bush, Patty Berg and Annika Sorenstam.

What next for Woods?

Woods, who said last year he was targeting ‘a tournament a month’ in 2024, saw his comeback cut short at February’s Genesis Invitational after withdrawing during his second round through illness.

The world No 906 is expected to play once on the Florida Swing ahead of the major season, likely The Players later this month, while Woods is also listed in the field for the Seminole Golf Club pro-member event on Monday March 4 in Florida.

Woods is expected to be back in action at The Masters from April 11-14 as he chases a sixth Green Jacket, while the PGA Championship from May 16-19 takes place at Valhalla – the venue where Woods lifted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2000 as part of the ‘Tiger Slam’.