Notah Begay III wears many “insider” hats. As a former PGA Tour winner and current Golf Channel analyst, he’s a Tour insider. But he’s also something of a Tiger Woods insider.
As a long-time friend and confidant of 15 times major championBegay’s predictions about Tiger carry some weight. His latest prediction? That Woods will indeed soon make his return to the PGA Tour. But not only that. Begay also suggested that Tiger could play two Tour events that he rarely, if ever, plays.
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Notah Begay III discusses the return of Tiger Woods
Begay’s long friendship with Woods began in junior golf and continued on the Stanford University golf team and then on the PGA Tour.
In the past, Begay has provided insight into Tiger’s thinking that could have been provided by none other than Big Cat himself.
And right now, everyone wants to know what Tiger thinks. After competing in the inaugural TGL season earlier this year, it looked like Woods was ready for the 2025 season. But then Achilles surgery kept him out all year.
Tiger Woods and his caddy Steve Williams embrace after the final round of the 2011 Masters.
In October, Woods announced that he underwent disc replacement surgery on his backfurther casting doubt on his potential return date.
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This week, Begay appeared on honest facts, buddy! podcast with host Trey Wingoand he quickly answered one of the biggest questions on golf fans’ minds: When, if ever, will Tiger Woods compete on the PGA Tour again?
Begay responded not only by predicting he would return, but that he could do so at two unlikely tournaments, the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial and RBC heritage to Port city on Hilton Head Island.
Why these events, which Tiger only played once? Begay said the only thing stopping Tiger from returning to professional golf is his ability to go 72 holes.
“I think there are a few sites that could accommodate his current physical condition,” Begay said on the podcast. “I think the biggest issue, in the conversations I’ve had with him, is walking. That’s it. He hits great, he’s in great physical condition. His ball speeds are pretty fast, they’re 175-180, which is good enough for the PGA Tour. Is he able to just walk 72 holes plus a pro-am? I don’t know, and that’s kind of the big question. So I think it’s about of a major championship venue with flatter terrain. Hilton Head with flatter terrain, the Colonials with flatter terrain could be targets.
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He continued, “And those are venues that he never played usually. He played the Colonial once and never went back. And I don’t think he ever went to Hilton Head. So I think those are two things you might see at some point.”
Begay also explained why Woods would attempt to make another comeback. The inspiration comes from wanting to win his 83rd PGA Tour event, breaking his current tie with Sam Snead for the most Tour wins in history.
“In his heart, 83 is a big number. It’s an important number,” Begay said.
And if it wasn’t the PGA Tour, Begay admitted he’d love to get him into some PGA Tour Champions events, a desire that many older professionals have repeated.
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“But we’re also dying to see him on the Champions Tour, where he can ride a cart!”
For the record, the 2026 edition of RBC Heritage will take place from April 16 to 19a week after the 2026 Masters, another potential venue for Woods’ return to professional golf. The 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge begins at Colonial on May 28.
How Tiger Woods and Notah Begay III Became “Pseudo-Brothers”
In addition to providing insight into current and future Tiger Woods, Begay also revealed what it was like to meet a young Tiger 40 years ago, when he was already dominating tournaments.
“Tiger and I have been friends since we were 9, so over 40 years now,” Begay explained in his Simple facts, buddy! appearance.
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They first met at a junior golf tournament attended by Begay’s older brother. But it was Tiger who caught Begay’s eye.
Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods chat during the second round of the 2024 PNC Championship.
“I had heard about this kid who was winning tournaments by 15 and 20 strokes. And I said I have to go watch this kid. And I met a young Tiger Woods, 9 years old, competing with older kids and beating older kids,” Begay revealed. “Just the drive and the energy and the way he went about his business was really captivating, even at that age. »
Begay then explained how their first meeting turned into a lasting friendship.
“After the tour, I went and introduced myself to him and we became friends. We would meet at junior tournaments along the way. And we would hang out together. (Tiger’s father, Earl Woods) always traveled with him, and my parents couldn’t travel because it was expensive. So Earl always looked out for me. He always made sure I had dinner. He always made sure I got to the course,” Begay said. “So we became almost like pseudo-brothers and we carried that friendship through to college.”
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He also claimed that Woods was the greatest golfer of all time and argued that witnessing Tiger’s accomplishments throughout his career gave him the authority to make this decision.
“So I’ve been there every step of the way – the good, the bad, the ugly – with my friend. And I have the utmost respect for everything he’s done. And no one can really understand how many mountains he had to climb to set those records, and what he had to sacrifice to set those records. But no one has ever worked harder than Tiger Woods, and maybe no one has ever had more talent, which is why I consider him the greatest of them all times.”
You can watch Begay’s entire appearance on Straight Facts Homie! podcast here.
The position Insider Predicts Tiger Woods Could Make Surprise Return to PGA Tour appeared first on Golf.
