Woods has said that he never enters a tournament without thinking he can’t win it. However, golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka are all at or near the peak years of their career, so it’s difficult to think that Tiger can compete with them — or any of the other top stars on the PGA or LIV Tours — as this point in his career
Woods has not played much during the 2024 PGA season
After having surgery to stabilize his ankle that was injured during a 2021 automobile accident, Tiger said that he wanted to play with more frequency in this year’s events. His stated goal at the start of the year was to play in one tournament a month, and not to miss any of the major championships. He entered the Genesis Open in February, but he had to withdraw due to illness early in the second round of that tournament.
Woods did not play again until the Masters in April, and Tiger was able to compete for four rounds. Early in the tournament, he was put through the ringer because poor weather forced him and his playing partners off the course prior to the end of the first round. He had to come out early during Friday’s scheduled second round and finish the round. Woods scored a one over par 73, and after a delay to start the second round, he shot an even par 72. He was one over through 36 holes and easily made the cut for the 24th time in the Masters.
There was some thought that after enduring that long day of golf, Tiger might be able to ride that momentum into contention on Moving Day and then the final round. However, that was not the case as Tiger struggled badly.
He finished the tournament with rounds of 82 and 77, and that gave him a four-round total of 304, the worst in his career at the Masters.
That is an issue that is likely to follow him at the PGA Championship. He could have a couple of positive rounds to start, but with an ankle that has been fused into position, it will be difficult for him to finish the final two rounds without stiffness or pain
Competition for Woods is too tough at this point
Even if Tiger Woods was not trying to overcome his injury history, he is 48 years old and he is facing excellent golfers who are at the top of their respective careers.
Start with Scheffler, who won the Masters and has been having a season that has been compared to the years that Tiger had when he was at his peak.
The 27-year-old Scheffler has been dominant, with victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship and the RBC Heritage in addition to the Masters. He is listed as the 7-2 favorite to take home the PGA Championship title. The belief around the tour is that if Scheffler’s putting is on, he cannot be stopped.
Rory McIlroy appears to be heading in the right direction. He was victorious in the Wells Fargo Championship, firing a final round of 6 under par 65 to finish at 17 under. He came from behind to blow away the field, beating Xander Schauffele by 5 strokes.
McIlroy has won the Wells Fargo title four times in his career. He is the second choice at 12-1 to win the event. “I really got some confidence,” McIlroy said. “My golf swing feels a lot more comfortable than it has. So going to a venue next week where I’ve won, it feels like the stars are a lining a little bit.”
