The Jay Monahan-led circuit has surely seen better days. From low TV ratings to numerous withdrawals plaguing each event, the PGA Tour has not been having the best of times for a while now. However, one thing sorely stands out: the delay of the framework agreement and the tensions that came as a result between players in the Tour. Now, it seems the fans are set on blaming Tiger Woods as well as the commissioner for it.

Dan Rapaport took to his X handle to highlight how golf was getting destroyed, all thanks to the various hurdles the sport was facing. He did so while talking about the merger hold-up, the huge amount of dollar bills invested in the sport, and the golfers being split between two Tours, leading to many in the community expressing their displeasure against Woods and Monahan for causing the same.

Ever since the inception of LIV Golf in 2021, the top brass of the PGA Tour, including the players, have been trying their best to assert their control in the game. One of the main developments that came about as a reply to the Saudi-backed league, as per analysts of the sport, was Tiger Woods’s and Rory McIlroy’s TGL, the new tech-infused league. That’s not all. The new equity distribution that was brought about by joining hands with SSG for $3 billion resulted in the 15-time major champ getting a whopping $100 million, while others saw much less to their name. Such a situation also led to much discontent among golfers and fans alike.

The community, as a result, did not shy away from taking a jab at the 48-year-old as well as Monahan, who seems to be partial to the pro: “Blame Tiger. He’s to blame for it all. You know this of course but can’t report it. Cause Riggs gets to be ‘friends’ with Tiger… Heads up, Tiger doesn’t have friends,” and “The only ones ruining the sport are the PGA and Tiger… they have fought LIV tooth and nail. They should realize the future market potential for joint ventures and capitalize on that. Their pettiness and need for control are working against the best interest of the game.”

Many professionals had accused the commissioner of hypocrisy while simultaneously calling for his resignation. Moreover, back in January, 21 PGA Tour Pros, including Hunter Mahan, had even issued a letter to the Tour Policy Board calling for more transparency. “Jay’s trying to pump the ship up after he just grounded it into the dock and destroyed everything,” accused the golfer before revealing the current situation of the players, “He’s trying to repaint everything and make it look as new…It’s a lot of ‘it’s a players tour’ but the players aren’t notified when the changes are made.” Netizens went ahead to express their displeasure in a similar way, as they commented, “Monahan. Until he’s gone… PGAT will continue to deteriorate,” and “PGA Tour is to blame with how they handled it – Said it from day 1. Monopolies don’t like competition. True winners/champions relish it.”

It appears the situation is not all lost, seeing as how the fans are worried for the future of the sport as well as the circuit. Many in the community also went ahead to point out the need for the golfers to come together in the sport, as they commented, “It’s honestly sad to see. Politics ruin everything. We would love to just see the best players playing against each other… egos always come into play and mess that up.” Such a stance, however, is not what certain PGA Tour Pros have when it comes to playing with the defectors.

Various standpoints among the Jay Monahan-led PGA Tour Pros

Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas, had expressed the need for a penalty for the defectors trying to come back to the PGA Tour event. The latter, while speaking at a presser following the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s first round, said, “I would have a problem with it, and I think a lot of guys would have a problem with it.” Prior to the 31-year-old’s statement, Fowler, during the same event had also conveyed a similar stance, “I don’t think it’s a direct road. They made decisions, and… there has to be something for it. Whether how small or big, that’s not up to me.”

Later that month, the PGA Tour entered into a deal with SSG, following which Jordan Spieth indicated that the circuit doesn’t need a merger with PIF at the moment. McIlroy, on the other hand, disagreed with the same; “They are still sitting out there with hundreds of billions of dollars, if not trillions, that they’re gonna pour it into the sport,” said the pro before mentioning how such open criticism may leave a sour aftertaste, “But if I were PIF and I was hearing that coming from here, the day after doing this SSG deal, it wouldn’t have made me too happy, I guess?” Although they did have a talk with each other over the phone, the aftereffects seem to still linger in the air.

One. Two. Valhalla. The clock is ticking fast. As the golf world was just recovering from Tiger Woods’s 24th consecutive cut made at the 2024 Masters, the PGA Championship scheduled at the Valhalla Golf Course seems to be knocking at the golf world’s door. Interestingly enough, Tiger Woods seems all set to fulfill his resolve to destroy the Sunday Red logo by adding another stripe to it this coming weekend.

However, amidst the hours of practice, preparatory scouting trips, and continued entertainment, it’s important not to forget all the unbelievable moments the 4-time PGA Champion has delivered throughout his professional history! Here are some unforgettable moments that will leave your mouth agape and hearts racing in anticipation, of all of this is possible in the days to come if the stars’ health prevails.

Ever since Woods had his maiden victory at the PGA Championship in 1999, the star’s connection with the event has made many headlines. The 2000 edition of this major played a key role in a young Woods achieving the well-known Tiger Slam. Surely, then, a symbiotic relationship like this one deserves extrapolation.

1. Steamy Tiger

The heat in St. Louis in August 2018 was extra high at the Bellerive Golf Course. After all, the event saw the GOAT of the golf world change his shirt four times during the third round on Saturday. “New shirt, new round,” was the roar surrounding the golf world as this change into an identical shirt boosted Woods’s otherwise sulking game.

After the “steamy” change of clothing, the talented pro transitioned from a bogey on the par-4 10th and a double bogey on the par-4 11th to hit his first fairway, resulting in a birdie on the 12th. Then, who wouldn’t believe in the insane amounts of sports world superstitions?

2. When a young fan passed out after seeing Woods

The St. Louis summer heat coupled with the sight of a steamy 82-time PGA Tour winner is not for everyone. At the sight of his favorite, a young fan of Woods’ passed out before the star teed it up on the 12th hole.

However, after giving a momentary jolt to the fans’ existence, Woods’ glorious play also revived him as the course echoed with exclamations. Even though physically exhausted, the kids’ prime concern after the revival was that he missed Woods’s shot. It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?

3. The three grand playoff holes of the 2000 PGA Championship

The 2000 PGA Championship must hold a reservation in the star’s heart. After all, that was the year when he won the Tiger Slam (a famous period in the golfer’s career when he became the first player ever to win four consecutive major championships).

However, this record came after much hard work. Particularly, a toe-to-toe fight with Bob May, which eventually led to three playoff holes between the two. After the third playoff hole, the now-48-year-old won the 2000 PGA Championship, which paved his way to the Tiger Slam the same season.

4. When Tiger Woods made a run-in putt

Tiger Woods’ second win at the PGA Championship in a row in 2000 was truly iconic. The third playoff hole saw Woods make a run during his walk-in putt to ensure he had actually won over Bob May and sealed an unimaginable second PGA Championship win to his name at just the age of 24!

5. When a teenage Sergio Garcia risked a broken hand and broken club in Woods pursuit

The 1999 PGA Championship saw an anxious and win-hungry Sergio Garcia risk it all in hopes of winning the trophy over Tiger Woods. While Garcia’s attempts went in vain as he finished one stroke behind Tiger in second place, the urge to attain his first major win cost him almost a broken club and a broken hand.

Yes, you heard that right. The then-19-year-old made a weird tee shot on the 16th involving trees at the Medinah Country Club. The young Garcia, in hopes of making a statement, made an iconic, undaunted move when he picked up a six-iron and shot the ball 189 yards to the green and then ran to see the result of his risky yet hopeful shot.

Even though Garcia’s attempts at getting his first major over a thriving Woods did not come to a favorable end, it is a moment engraved in golf history marked with undying determination. Are you aware of any crazy moments that occurred during Woods’ appearances at the PGA Championship?

Tiger Woods is no stranger to controversy. The 15-time major winner has seen it all, from gossip surrounding his dating life to allegations surrounding his alleged use of “some sort of enhancement type of deal.” Interestingly enough, post-return to the golf world, there have been claims that he looks “all puffed up.” 

Golf world personality Mark Lye even went ahead to accuse the 15-time major winner of a serious case of allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs, or PED, basing his claims on how his changed appearance could not be due to just some normal vitamins on his 40-some young physique. So what is it that has endowed the bulked-up, muscular look of Tiger Woods?

Back in 2010, Woods was surrounded by a whirlwind of making use of human growth hormone, or HGH, under that time’s controversial Canadian Dr. Anthony Galea. However, the 82-time PGA Tour denied such allegations of using HGH or “any illegal drug ever, for that matter.” Instead, he revealed that he received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy from Dr. Galea.

He presented the rationale that “it’s not for longevity; it’s not for healing or for anti-aging.” Woods’s attempts centered around the claim that he was a part of the experimental attempt to use “the concentrated injection, which could mimic the healing process when blood swells around an injury site.”

But what is this procedure after all? Well, it primarily involves a doctor drawing blood and putting it in a centrifuge to separate the blood’s plasma (which contains platelets) from the red blood cells. They then inject the solution back into the patient’s injury. A recent study cited in the Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, more than a decade after Woods’s revelation, has brought forth the fact that this is true. However, there might be an additional layer of twist to this.

According to the study, not only does PRP enhance muscle recovery and regeneration after injury, but it could also potentially increase the muscle fibers’ diameter. This could, in turn, mean more muscle growth and strength gains for those who use this treatment.

Thus, it is possible that, apart from Woods’s intense workout regime, his age-old PRP can be one of the reasons an ailing Woods is looking “all puffed up.” Therefore, it is safe to say that his bulked-up look is the result of his intense attempts at recovery and potential delivery on the promise of performing one event a month in the days to come.

What makes this more interesting is that the WADA removed PRP from the list of prohibited intramuscular injections of PRP in 2011. So it is now acceptable to administer PRP injections. But what about Tiger Woods’s plan for the rest of the season after making a successful 24th cut at the 2024 Masters and registering his name in the books of history once again?

Tiger Woods’s resolve to add another stripe to his Sunday Red logo

In a recent promotion interview on the Today Show on Wednesday, the 48-year-old revealed that he plans to keep changing and remaking his present fifteen-striped logo. How? Well, the golfer plans to add a 16th stripe to his pathbreaking brand’s controversial logo this season.

For the same reason, the plans are to successfully partake in all three majors left in the 2024 season. While he is expected to be a part of the field for the upcoming PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club, he has already confirmed his presence at the US Open after receiving a special exemption from the USGA.

However, his health hurdles are expected to be his undoing as per the past two outings he has made since his return at the Genesis Invitational and the 2024 Masters. The newfound PRP therapy might bring him some relief from his pre-existing conditions. However, it is not a sure-shot guarantee. At the moment, it remains tough for Woods to fulfill his dream of a 16th stripe or major. But, miracles do happen. Only time can tell if the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s possible future success is part of God’s plan or not.

Back in February, Tiger Woods had revealed his new apparel line, Sun Day Red. However, following the reveal, everything went downhill pretty quickly as his fans started to find the whole brand and its logo underwhelming. Even Woods’s recent appearance in August was met with a poor response from the community despite a lot of focus falling instead on Jason Day. It doesn’t seem to be any different even when the golfer’s brand launched their ‘All Things Red’ collection recently.

Soon after the professional’s line launched its new collection, TWLEGION, a fan page dedicated to the golfer went ahead to point out the same, along with the prices of the cloth items. What came as a result was nothing short of pandemonium as the fans took to share their dissatisfaction with the brand, its products, and the exorbitant prices.

Woods’s new collection included polos being marked at “$120-150 USD, Mocks from $125-150, Pants from $165, Tee shirts from $70, Ball markers from $50, Hats from $40.” Overpriced? That’s what many felt as soon as the clothes hit the internet. But, the surprise doesn’t seem to end there, as it experienced a similar fate as the first collection they released this month, with nothing remaining.

Just days ago, the first set ‘The Hunt’ was also accompanied by the ‘sold out’ notice as soon as they popped out on the official site. However, not long after, the items were spotted by many again on eBay at an even higher price, with 2x, 3x, or even six times the already overpriced figures.

Coming back to the recent release, the launch also included the first versions of Tiger Woods’s brand’s mock red polos, the ‘Fermi Mock’ and ‘3D Knit Mock.’ Along with the same, the line also consisted of hats in both red and black, out of which the former has been sold out. The Cypress Tour Towel, the limited edition red, silver, and black ball markers, also faced the same fate. Even after being sold out, the fans couldn’t help but express their dissatisfaction with the line.

Netizens pass their verdict on Woods’s Sun Day Red

Over the last 28 years of his professional career, Tiger Woods has won a total of 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour events. He also ranks first in the most number of weeks that a golfer stayed as the No.1 in the OWGR ranking and has thus garnered many fans all over the world. But despite the craze for Woods, fans were skeptical and outright dismissive of his brand and its new line. Why? It’s all because of the high price. Many commented with responses such as “Nope. Looks like trash. Sorry @TigerWoods  I love you but this brand conception and implementation is terrible,” and “Nope, maybe if the polos were around 80$. Don’t care if it’s tiger I ain’t paying an extra 40$ for a brand anymore.” But, the one comment that stood out the most is from an ardent fan dishing out his support as well as his verdict; “nope – designs pretty s**t for the greatest golfer to ever live and it’s expensive. The TW logo was Tiger and to go in a different direction with this tiger logo was just odd from his marketing team. That being said I’ll be watching every shot and cheering him on as I have done for 20 years.”

During the recently ended major at Augusta National, attention came to be focused on Jason Day as Woods walked in donning Malbon Golf clothes. What transpired as a result was brutal. Fans and followers could not help but troll the golfer for his white jersey paired with a white pair of shoes, blue trousers, and a blue cap. A user went ahead to compare the outfit to Tiger Woods’s recent line while also commenting on the prices. His comment came across as both a jab and a compliment. “None of this hyper minimalist logo design is worth it. You can like Tiger all you want, but these prices are laughable. Better than Jason Day’s outfits at least.” In the meantime, another follower reacted comically in a bid to make him follow Day’s example, “I need to see Tiger wear those red pants tho.” 

Tiger Woods has repeatedly faltered in overcoming the wrath of his injuries. The 15-time major champion faced a similar fate at the 2024 Masters Tournament, where, despite a steady start and an extremely well-performed second round, Woods finished last on the leaderboard with a score of 16-under-par because of physical difficulties arising because of reignited injuries.

Interestingly enough, despite being in 789th place according to the OWGR at the moment, the three-time US Open winner received a special exemption, courtesy of the USGA. Woods promptly accepted the irresistible offer and will be seen partaking in the 124th edition of the event in June. But what are his odds of winning? Zero, and here’s why!

Our best bet is that it is highly unlikely the 48-year-old will add a fourth U.S. Open title to his name (at least this year). The fan-favorite golfer continues to struggle with his back injuries from over a decade ago. Further, the 82-time PGA Tour winner is still suffering from the aftermath of his February 2021 car accident, which has caused him leg injuries (especially centered around his ankle). This has led him to depend on a “cold plunge every day, religiously,” in his hopes to fix his “extremely sore” self and get going.

Adding to his pre-existing health struggles is the long-lasting streak of special exemption holders being unable to reach the heights of success in this particular major championship. In the US Open’s history, only one golfer who made his way into the field with a special exemption has won. He was Hale Irwin and he won in 1990.

However, except for Irwin, the event has historically faced a series of specially exempted players either missing the cut or withdrawing. Even if such players make the cut, they either finish at the end of the leaderboard or out of the top few positions. In fact, throughout the 124 editions, only five times have special exemptions been able to finish in the top 10. Evidently, then, history seems to be against Woods in his attempts at resurgence in June.

What makes matters worse is that Woods could not stand true to some of the high expectations that were placed on him by his closest friends during the first major of the season. Notah Begay III, a close friend of the GOAT was sure that Woods had his eyes on much more than making the cut at the Masters. While it was half-true that Woods gave an increasingly improved performance at the Augusta National Golf Club, it was all less than what Begay and the rest of the golf world expected from him.

After being unsuccessful in meeting his promise of playing once every month of the 2024 season, it seems Woods is trying his level best to at least deliver some of his best golf at the four majors of the season. However, all his attempts seem to go in vain as destiny continues to give him jolts of reality checks. But what is the one persistent goal of the 5-time Masters champ despite the hurdles that he faces?

Tiger Woods’s desperate attempt to “ruin” the Sunday Red logo

“My goal is to ruin the logo. I want to keep ruining the logo,” said Tiger Woods in an interview on the Today show on Wednesday morning. His apparel brand, Sun Day Red’s logo, currently features fifteen stripes, each representing the fifteen-time Major Champ’s wins. With his ongoing resolve to try and play one event a month for the rest of the season and all of the three remaining majors, Woods seems to be constantly trying to break out of the cycle of his bad luck.

However, based on recent trends, if the slightest chance of Woods overcoming his ongoing struggles comes true, it is highly likely he would play in contention with the 2x Augusta winner, Scottie Scheffler, who is currently ruling the golf world. Talking of his polished game, Woods seemed awe-struck.

“There’s something different about his [ball flight]. It’s just so consistent. It’s just a matter of — if he putts decent, he’s going to win. If he putts great, he blows away fields. If he has a bad putting week, he contends. He’s just that good a ball-striker,” said Woods.

So, Tiger Woods will be at Pinehurst No.2 in June. The special exemption was inevitable. The 15-time Major winner found himself in a rather precarious situation. For the first time in his professional career, the 48-year-old wasn’t exempt in four majors. A nine-time USGA champion not receiving a special invite would’ve been questionable.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly considering the strange times in Golf, the USGA’s decision was met with a flurry of baffling comments. Open X (formerly Twitter) and you’ll be greeted with  “Exempt to WD”, “exemption should have gone to a deserving young tour player” etc. etc. etc. The argument clearly misses the point, however.

So, Tiger Woods will be at Pinehurst No.2 in June. The special exemption was inevitable. The 15-time Major winner found himself in a rather precarious situation. For the first time in his professional career, the 48-year-old wasn’t exempt in four majors. A nine-time USGA champion not receiving a special invite would’ve been questionable.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly considering the strange times in Golf, the USGA’s decision was met with a flurry of baffling comments. Open X (formerly Twitter) and you’ll be greeted with  “Exempt to WD”, “exemption should have gone to a deserving young tour player” etc. etc. etc. The argument clearly misses the point, however.

Let’s also not forget, Tiger Woods would’ve traveled to Pinehurst No.2 regardless. He is the recipient of the 2024 Bob Jones Award. Woods being at Pinehurst to receive the highest USGA honor without being in the field would have been nothing short of a travesty. It would have caused a different furor that USGA very much wanted to avoid after already facing setbacks of the golf ball rollback policy.

USGA’s exemption is only a recognition of Woods’s history of nine USGA titles. The former world no.1 remains the only golfer to three-peat the US Junior Amateurs and the US Amateurs. Three US Open victories included a 15-shot triumph in 2000. And an unlikely 19-hole playoff victory in Torrey Pines in 2008, when a broken leg all but ruled him out of the competition.

So what explains the Tiger Woods censure?

Well, times have changed. And, times are strange. Two things seem to dictate the narrative.  Firstly, Woods has played only eight tournaments since his car accident and pulled out from three of those. The last one was at the Genesis Invitational. Also, the 48-year-old failed to keep his ‘promise’ of playing one tournament a month in December.

Secondly, The Masters offered early hopes. But a marathon Friday resulted in a 10-over third round. A similar performance is expected many point out. Moreover, it’s not Woods’s usual stomping ground in Georgia. Previously, at Pinehurst, the 48-year-old finished runner-up in 2005 and was third in 1999. Woods missed the 2014 edition due to a back surgery.

Hence the outrage against Tiger Woods for apparently taking up a spot that could’ve gone to a youngster or an amateur, perhaps. But it’s totally misplaced because it ignores a key point. The USGA exemption doesn’t follow the same sponsor exemption rule at the PGA Tour. More importantly, Woods rejected a similar exemption in THE PLAYERS, because he believed he could earn it.

So far in USGA’s history only once the special exemption has gone to an amateur. That was in 1980, when Jay Sigel, probably the most celebrated amateur after Bobby Jones, having represented the USA seven times in the Walker Cup, teed off at the Baltusrol Golf Club. USGA grants invitations at their discretion. Not every year, golfers get a special invite. In the last decade, only six players received a special exemption, and all for reasons the organizers deemed valid.

Here is who else has earned an exemption previously. Jack Nicklaus received the US Open invitation eight times. Arnold Palmer five times. Most recently, Phil Mickelson, received an exemption after his qualification ran out in 2021. None of that was undeserving. Lefty has never won a US Open but has been a runner-up or a T2 six times in his career.

As for the concern around the exemption getting to wastage, because Woods might miss the cut or even withdraw if another injury crops up, it won’t be the first time. In fact, rarely have players who received an exemption finished on top of the leaderboard. Hale Erwin remains the only golfer to win on a special exemption. Nick Price had a T9 in 1984. Nick Faldo knocked off a T5 in 2002. That was the last time anyone playing on exemption came inside the top ten. Jack Nicklaus missed the cut in 1999 when the US Open at Pinehurst. The 18-time Major winner’s best finish was a T27 in 1996.

If Tiger Woods ever needed an exemption, perhaps this is now. And, none deserves it more than the man who still holds the record margin of victory at any major. No matter what the self-appointed gatekeepers would want you to believe.

Throughout Tiger Woods‘ extraordinary career, injuries have been an unforgiving, recurring companion. Woods has fought hard against the physical toll of his genius from the peaks of his dominant heyday to the painful lows of surgery-induced absences. The biggest difficulty the golfer has faced to date is his current recovery from a potentially fatal car accident in 2021.

The 15-time major winner recently shared details on the drawn-out recuperation procedure needed following competitions. Woods emphasized how competitive golf takes a physical toll on his already injured body. While he aims to keep competing in the next three months, will his body allow it?

In a recent appearance on the TODAY show, Tiger Woods explained his current struggles on the greens. Although the 48-year-old had earlier in the year set a goal of participating in one tournament every month, he conceded the schedule might need to be adjusted in light of his recovery requirements. “I have basically the next three months. So I have three majors and hopefully, you know, that’ll kind of work out.”

Woods has marked off the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open in his calendar in an effort to keep going against the odds and compete in major championships. Woods has also explained his physical troubles after the accident, “I’ve struggled with my hips moving and especially since my accident, my right leg doesn’t work that well.” He goes on to explain that he slides through impacts due to limited movement in his damaged right leg, which results in blocks and mis-hits that he is continuously trying to get rid of. Compared to his best years, Woods’ practice and recovery routines have changed significantly as a result of the hurdles.

“It’s just like being at home. It’s like being at home when we’re practicing at home,” he said about his new normal on tour. “I’m trying to keep the club tight to my body.”

But the physical cost is enormous, as he disclosed doing a lengthy “cold plunge, stretch, all of it” exercise every day following a game. When asked how he felt after Augusta, “I was sore,” was his only answer, “cold plunge every day, religiously.”

What does Tiger Woods’s tale of plight infer?

Before the Masters, Tiger Woods was reported to not even being able to move his ankle, according to his friend Notah Begay. “For the past couple of months, he’s been trying to find a way to recover,” Begay said. His 2023 was also a poor year since he withdrew from Masters, and then underwent an ankle surgery in April. For the rest of the season, he was out of the competitive greens and returned at the end of the year to compete at the Hero World Challenge and PNC Championship.

Woods promised his fans that he would compete in one event every month in 2024, but failed to do so. He did tee up at Genesis, only to WD because of Influenza. Before he teed up at the Masters this year, people were uncertain about him being able to play all 4 rounds, but he did and displayed a tale of resilience. It sure was not easy, but the golfer did not give up. Woods hopes to contend at the upcoming majors despite the growing obstacles, and it just shows that golf means so much to him.

Woods’ perseverance motivates him to overcome the odds at the British Open, U.S. Open, and PGA. However, his frank remarks draw attention to the physical cost. His determination might add the most motivational chapter to his legacy to date.