With Tiger Woods days away from turning 50, speculation is growing that the 15-time major champion could embrace a strong on-field schedule. PGA Tour Champions in 2026.
Earlier this month, Woods has not committed to how often he will compete on the senior circuitwhere the use of carts and 54-hole formats in most events are seen as factors that could make it more attractive than the PGA Tour.
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“Once I feel like I’m training, bursting, playing, the recovery process, then I can evaluate where I’m going to play and how much I’m going to play,” Woods said at the Hero World Challenge at the Albany Club, where he is the host. “I’m far from that part of the problem and that type of decision, that type of level of commitment.”
Lanny Wadkins, a World Golf Hall of Famer who won the ACE Group Classic in his Champions Tour debut in 2000 and then spent more than a decade as a broadcaster, thinks Woods will be a regular.
“For the most part, everyone who turns 50 is going to play,” Wadkins said. “Phil Mickelson did it until he went to LIV, and Ernie Els supported him, playing almost every week. We have Hall of Famers everywhere.”
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February 24, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Tiger Woods plays his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of the WGC – Mexico Championship golf tournament at Club de Golf Chapultepec. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Wadkins added that Woods’ close friend John Cook had hinted that Tiger would play – and not just in the senior majors. He even outlined a potential timeline:
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“Let’s not forget how many times Tiger won at Firestone (site of the Kaulig Companies Championship),” Wadkins said.
“He also won the Buick Open at Warwick Hills, where we now play the Ally Challenge, and he loved being there. I’d be surprised if he didn’t play in Newport (site of the Hoag Classic) since he grew up in Big Canyon, right across the street. And I think he just signed a big contract and has an Insperity logo on his shirt. If that’s the case, he’ll play the Insperity Invitational in Houston.
“So take those alone and add the Senior Open, the US Senior Open and maybe the Senior PGA, and we could have Tiger 10 to 12 times. I really hope that’s the case.”
More: If Tiger Woods plays on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026, will the tour be ready for him?
Lanny Wadkins on the stand Wednesday during the PNC Father/Son Challenge at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando.
Wadkins, who won the PNC championship in 2015 with his son Tucker, said Woods had a lot of motivation.
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“First of all, he still has a competitive spirit. Secondly, I think he would really enjoy it,” Wadkins said. “And another thing – I’m judging this on me and my boys – I think Tiger is going to want to keep playing so he can compete with Charlie while he’s in college.”
Wadkins recently completed a renovation of TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas, host of the Byron Nelson CJ Cup for five years. He admits he wishes he could still play at PNC.
“Look, I’m pissed that PNC is listed on the Champions tour when there aren’t many there,” he said. “I mean, I won the PNC and I’m not invited anymore. I would definitely go with my kids.”
In fact, Wadkins floated the idea of a Champions version of the PNC with a larger field.
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“I always thought the Champs should do their own version of this tournament,” Wadkins said. “It would get incredible support. You could start with guys who have won regular majors, then add senior major winners. It would be a huge success. It’s above my pay grade, but I’ve never understood why we haven’t seen that yet.”
This article was originally published on Golfweek: Tiger Woods on the Champions Tour? Lanny Wadkins says yes
