The PGA TOUR in collaboration with Bridgestone Americas released the field for the inaugural Bridgestone HBCU Invitational on Monday. Interestingly, it is a 54-hole tournament with individual stroke play. Moreover, Bridgestone being the maker of Tiger Woods’ golf ball means the players will have the kit and ball that the 47-year-old golfer tees off with. 

Set to be contested on Nov. 1-2, and featuring nine men’s golf teams and five women’s golf teams, The Bridgestone HBCU Invitational is part of the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression, designed to achieve greater diversity within the tour. In a podcast, one of the players revealed the joy and excitement of having Tiger Woods’ golf ball. 

College kid opens up about his feelings

Recently, Troy Stribling, a graduate student of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, sat with the Sirius XM podcast to discuss what it means to be playing at the Bridgestone HBCU Invitational. The young golfer seemed extremely excited to be a part of the tournament. 

“Bless me man like these are dreams and I never thought I would have,” the young golfer gets real about his feelings. However, as a young person, growing up watching Woods play, for the young golfer the most unbelievable thing is he is having Woods’ ball sponsor.

“I’ve Tiger Woods’ ball sponsor,” claims an excited young student. Stribling used to play Tiger Woods video games as a kid and now playing with his ball sponsor is something that only die-hard Tiger fans can comprehend. “Somebody playing his video game when I was 12 years old when he was the Bridgestone I played Bridgestone.”

Bridgestone partnered with Tiger Woods involving him in the R&D process, as well. However, with that being said, the lingering question is when can the 15x Major winner tee it up at the greens once again?

When can Tiger Woods return?

After playing at this year’s Masters, Woods is yet to tee it up on the greens again. Recovering from surgery, the former world no.1 is currently preparing for the next tournaments. Most recently, he was spotted practicing his swings before the TGR Jr. Invitational event. 

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As of now, it’s purely speculative when the 82-time PGA Tour winner will grace the greens again. Although he did leave one spot open for the Hero World Challenge lineup he announced, it’s not clear whether it will be the legend or his close friend Rory McIlroy filling the lineup.

Nevertheless, it’s heartening to see the PGA Tour and Bridgestone’s collaboration making such a great impact on young golfers’ lives and Tiger Woods still holding a special place in the young golfer’s heart.

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