After struggling to rounds of 75 and 74 at Valhalla, Tiger Woods missed the cut at the PGA Championship, but the 15-time major champion is adamant that his off-course role is not interfering with his playing career.
Tiger Woods acknowledges that his position on the PGA Tour policy board is just as important as his quest for an unprecedented 83rd championship on the U.S. circuit. This week at Valhalla Golf Club, Woods took part in just his third event of the season at the PGA Championship.
The 15-time major champion, who shot seven over par in his two rounds and narrowly missed the 36-hole cut, had an unmemorable experience.
Woods has reduced his playing schedule to part-time in recent years and assumed more duties off the course, such as joining the Tour as a player director and helping to broker a peace agreement between the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) and LIV Golf.
It was questioned whether his off-course role was affecting his performance on the green after he missed the cut on Friday. Woods, however, is adamant about keeping attention on both areas because he believes they are equally important.
“They both hold the same significance for me,” declared the three-time U.S. PGA champion. “Playing and my duties as a player director, whether they are on the enterprise board or the policy board.
“Each of the three has significance in a unique way. In addition to the impact and responsibility I have as a player director off the golf course, there are other reasons why I play: first, I play for pride and what I can accomplish here. In my capacity as a player representative and what I can do to support this tour off the golf course.”
Talking about the extra burden his policy board puts on his life, Woods continued, “Well, any player director will tell you that we just don’t get much sleep. Numerous late nights and strange hours of the night are experienced with Zoom calls.”
“Many emails to read, and all through the night. As a player director, these are all the things I signed up for and ways that I can contribute. Hopefully, I can make an impact, and we have so far. Hopefully, we can make an even bigger impact.”
Over the course of two rounds, there were glimpses of the old Woods, but in the end, his game’s rust proved costly in Kentucky. In just two years, the former world number one played in just nine PGA Tour events, and he had only completed all 72 holes four times.
“I need to play more,” he stated emphasizing that in order to become competitive again, he must play more Tour golf.
“I regret to say that I simply haven’t participated in many tournaments, nor have I scheduled many. I’m hoping that during my at-home practice sessions, everything will work together and get me ready for Pinehurst. The 48-year-old is scheduled to make a comeback at Pinehurst’s U.S. Open next month.”
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