Tiger Woods Winning Another Major Is a Hard Pill to Swallow; Does He Agree to It?

Tiger Woods hasn’t been the same. A near-fatal car crash that almost jeopardized his career had a lingering effect. Effects that required surgery, even though Woods reluctantly went for it. Back in 2023, he withdrew from the masters because of his health issues. Self-admittedly in a much better shape, Woods spoke about the post-surgery problems during the Hero World Challenge in December. 

His ankle doesn’t move the way it used to, and he is still trying to adapt. The Genesis Open will be his first official PGA Tour outing since the Masters (both the Hero World Challenge and PNC Championship were unofficial events, although with OWGR points). Woods also pointed out that, realistically, he plans to play once a month this year. But what does he think about winning another Major?

Well, the answer to that might be found in Sun Day Red’s logo. At a private event in Pacific Palisades, Tiger Woods was explaining the significance behind the logo. The striped logo of a leaping white tiger has caused some confusion since it was first revealed. Woods revealed that each stripe represents the Majors he has amassed over the years. 

Inevitably, the question comes up: what happens if he wins another? “We are going to redo the trademark,” quipped the veteran golfer. Are they, though? More importantly, will the need arise? Is Tiger Woods, 48, a betting favorite to win his 16th Major anytime soon? These questions are difficult to answer at the moment. But right now, considering his struggles on the course, it doesn’t seem likely.

Further, it will be an interesting watch to see how the Hall of Famer measures up against a stacked field of top Pros at the Genesis Invitational. The field will feature 22 of the Top 24 in the World ranking. Aside from the tournament host, there will be 14 other Major winners vying for the top spot.  

Accordingly, after his first outing at the Genesis, the 82-time PGA Tour winner will play in only a handful of tournaments. And if the 48-year-old Woods decides to play one tournament a month, then it’s only two tournaments before the Masters and possibly three to four events before the PGA Championship in May. 

How well will Tiger Woods be able to perform when others are trying to maximize the number of events before the Majors? Rory McIlroy, for one, has increased the number of events to earn the elusive green jacket in April. Let’s also not forget that Woods, unlike his previous avatars, was more accepting of the idea that another Major might not head toward his Jupiter residence.

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Woods’s past comments about Majors

At the 2023 Masters, Woods finally showed the signs that perhaps reality—depressing as it might be—has grabbed hold of golf’s most ambitious dreamer. “The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same. I can’t prepare and can’t play as many tournaments as I like. But that’s my future, and that’s OK. I’m OK with that,” said the man who once stomped Augusta.

A few years ago, these comments would’ve been rather unimaginable. In fact, only seven years ago, the former World No.1 sat down for an interview with Charlie Rose. The veteran TV personality asked Woods if he thought he could win 18 majors. Tiger Woods, with his characteristic humor, answered no before adding, “I’ve accepted I’m going to get more.”

Whether Woods still believes it or not, is a different question, but his past performances, coupled with surgeries, don’t inspire much hope. While his fans will surely look at the 2019 Masters victory, his fifth at Augusta and the first Major in eleven years, as a signpost that he can achieve the unthinkable, his fifth Green Jacket came after his 2018 Tour Championship victory. Woods also made four top-ten finishes from his 12 outings that season. 

Compare that to his current form, facts don’t look as strong as they appear on paper. The former World No. 1 was 18 shots behind Scottie

Scheffler at the Hero World Challenge last December. His drives were going haywire at times, and poor judgment plagued his game. There was a lot to work on, Tiger Woods himself admitted.

He was still bombing 300-yard drives, yes, but his driving accuracy pushed him to 12th in the 20-man field. Woods also ranked 20th in Approach to Green and 18th in Putting. If anything, these stats show that another win, and that too a major, is a long shot. Was there a tinge of sadness hidden behind the smile when Woods said Sun Day Red will change the logo if he wins another Major? Perhaps there was.

“It’s the right time in my life. It’s transitional,” added Woods. A transition to the late stage of his garlanded career is imminent.

Read More: Tiger Woods at Genesis Invitational: Stats Explored