With the Wyndham Championship now over, the focus shifts to the first FedEx Cup Playoff event. The field for the St. Jude Championship is ready after the conclusion of the FedEx Cup regular-season events. Does the top 125 include Tiger Woods?
The 15-time major champion has won four FedEx Cup Playoff events. Only Dustin Johnson (6), and Rory McIlroy (5) have won more than the 48-year-old. Twice has he been the FedEx Cup champion since the playoff started in 2007. Only Rory McIlroy (3) has more FedEx Cup champion titles than him (3).
However, despite having a decorated career, Tiger Woods won’t tee off at TPC Southwind this week. Actually, the 82-time PGA Tour winner has never teed off at the first FedEx Cup event since it was rebranded as the St. Jude Championship. In his former avatar, the Northern Trust, Woods has played 11 times, with two runner-ups to his name.
Nevertheless, since his near-fatal car crash, Woods has rarely teed off in regular season events. Naturally, his FedEx Cup ranks have dwindled. This year, the former world no.1 is 223rd in the FedEx Cup rankings. More importantly, Woods seems to saving up energy only for the majors. Is it realistic to expect him in the FedEx Cup Playoffs anytime soon?
Can Tiger Woods tee off in the FedEx Cup Playoffs next year?
The 15-time major champion hinted that the Open Championship would be his last competitive outing this season. Staying true to his words, Tiger Woods confirmed from Royal Troon that he won’t be teeing off until the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie. He jokingly dubbed it his ‘fifth major’. Then comes the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the invite-only tournament he hosts at his Albany resort.
However, it’s worth noting that Tiger Woods can tee off at all the Signature events next year. Recently, the PGA Tour board agreed to extend a lifetime exemption to the 48-year-old, considering his impact and achievements throughout the last three decades. However, it’s a matter of deliberation how much of that privilege Tiger Woods is going to avail of. He decided to skip regular events, hoping to stay injury-free in the majors. At the same time, Woods also admitted that a that a lack of competitive outings has blunted his sharpness.
Quite rightly, Woods dubbed it a ‘pick your poison’ moment. If the veteran golfer can cut short the recovery window after each tournament and if his body permits teeing off twice a month, Tiger Woods and his fans can realistically think of a FedEx Cup playoff appearance.
Even then, with a limited schedule, the 15-time major champion needs to secure a handful of top-10s and perhaps a victory to earn his way into the FedEx Cup bubble. But, of course, that depends on too many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ at this point.
