The PGA Tour has announced the field for next week’s Players Championship, its flagship event, and one notable name was absent from the list: Tiger Woods.
While the news may come as no surprise to many, it does put to rest any speculation about whether the 15-time major winner would be playing in the tournament.
Woods made his regular PGA Tour return two weeks ago at the Genesis Invitational, which he also hosts. It was his first appearance on the Tour since 2020, following a serious car accident that left him with significant injuries to his right leg.
Tiger Wood’s absence at the Players Championship
Despite making the cut and finishing under par for the event, Woods didn’t sound bullish about playing again before the Masters in April.
During the Genesis Invitational, he stated that he would likely only play in the majors and “maybe a couple more,” given the state of his body. Woods played in three of the four majors in 2022, and he has expressed a desire to play in all four this year, “maybe sprinkle in a few here and there.”
While the Players Championship is one of the PGA Tour’s marquee events, with a purse of $25 million, it appears that Woods has chosen to sit this one out. Instead, he will likely focus on preparing for the Masters, which is just four weeks after the Players.
Woods’ return to the PGA Tour has been highly anticipated, with many wondering whether he can regain his former dominance on the course. While his future playing schedule remains uncertain, it’s clear that he intends to focus on the majors and other select events, with an eye toward maintaining his health and extending his career for as long as possible.
