28 Years Have Changed Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas Is the Next ‘Heir’ per Ex-PGA Tour Pro – ‘Coming Towards the End’

Time, for Tiger Woods, is slowly running out. And, now in his late forties, it’s not lost on the 82-time PGA Tour winner that someone needs to carry his legacy forward. At least, that’s what Drew Stoltz, former PGA Tour Pro and co-host of the Golf Subpar podcast, believes. 

Stoltz said, “You’re seeing a little bit of a different Tiger. I mean, look what he’s done just even with Justin Thomas. Like, you know, kind of taking him under his wing, if you want to call it that, and helping him as he gets ready for the Masters and things like that.” Justin Thomas is known to be in the close circle of the Hall of Famer. In fact, the 30-year-old is perhaps the only person who gets advice from Woods.

Has Woods chosen Justin Thomas as the heir to his legacy?

It’s an unlikely friendship between the two—Thomas was a wee child of three when Woods scorched Augusta—but one that has grown stronger with time. Notably, the veteran golfer called Justin Thomas a brother he never had; their families have celebrated Christmas together as well. Like a true brother, Woods has imparted his golfing wisdom only to him. 

Ask the reigning Masters Champion and he will tell you. During the 2022 Masters, Jon Rahm said, “I think there is only one man in this field who hears advice from Tiger because I have asked before, and I get nothing.” When the 29-year-old asked Woods for any tips on Bermuda grass, the veteran golfer simply replied, “It’s all about feel.” Justin Thomas, though, has never shied away from admitting the help he received from the former World No. 1.

The 15-time PGA Tour winner feels blessed that he gets to play practice rounds with the veteran golfer. “For my own well-being and actual preparation for the golf tournament, it does not get any better than literally just following Tiger and Freddie around Augusta,” Thomas told Stoltz in an earlier episode. 

However, Stoltz doesn’t think Tiger Woods would’ve done that a decade ago. “that guy [Woods], 15 years ago, you think, he was helping anybody? No!” But now the 48-year-old perhaps wants to pass the baton, knowing the fuel left in him won’t last long. “I think he’s kind of, you know, he sees like, I’m coming towards the end now. Things are changing. And he’s starting to pass the baton off to some some of the youth.”

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Nevertheless, Stoltz is excited to know

Tiger Woods will be back at the greens soon. “But dude, he’s playing next week. You know, he mentioned earlier in the year, possibly playing once a month, which we would sign up for immediately. But this is step one, get around Riviera.” Woods announced his participation at the Genesis Invitational, the third Signature event of the calendar year, as a host. Notably, Justin Thomas was picked as a sponsor exemption alongside Will Zalatoris and Adam Scott. Stoltz, though realistic, doesn’t expect much from the veteran at this point.

How will Tiger Woods perform?

Stoltz believes, “The golf, you know, should be rusty, I would expect but just a couple of times, hopefully before it gets to Augusta National, we won’t have any hope of him actually, you know, playing a role at that golf tournament.” This will mark Tiger Woods’ first official PGA Tour outing since the Masters. He underwent ankle surgery after bowing out of Augusta last year.

During the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the 15-time Major winner frankly admitted he had a lot to work on before being on top of his game. Interestingly, Woods’s first event of the season will also be significant for one more reason. The five-time Masters winner cryptically hinted at some major news regarding his next sponsorship.

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