Tiger On Distance Insights: "It's going to be probably...well after my career and my playing days that we will figure that out."

Tiger Woods was asked at today’s Genesis Invitational about the Distance Insights Report and remained consistent with past views, but did reiterate how the sport has run out of room to grow courses.

Q. Tiger, how do you see the discussion around the distance insights study evolving and how would you like to see that discussion resolved?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I've always said that the game of golf, it's fluid, it's moving. The golf ball is certainly going a lot further than the balata days. We've changed it from using a tree to using high-tech metal. We've come a long way in this game. What's been crazy, I've been a part of all that. My career when I first started, I beat Davis Love in a playoff and he was using a persimmon driver. To see the technology advance as fast as it has, the average distance was, from when I first came out on here, if you carry it 270, it took a lot of trouble out of play. Now guys are hitting their hybrids and 5-woods 270 in the air. So the game has evolved and it's changed. We're running out of property to try and design golf courses that are from the back 7,800 to 8,000yards, it's difficult.But on top of that, we want to keep the game so enjoyable and we've trying to get more participation, and having the larger heads, more forgiving clubs, it adds to the enjoyment of the game. So there's a very delicate balancing act where we're trying to keep the game at, but also as we've all recognized, the players have changed over the years, too. When I first came out it was just Vijay and myself in the gyms and now seems like everyone has their own trainer and physios and guys got bigger, stronger, faster, more athletic like all sports.

He seems resigned to not seeing any kind of rule change for the remainder of his playing days:

Q. Just to follow up on that, can we put you down for bifurcation or do you still want to read the report and kind of think that through?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I think that is certainly on discussion, it's on the table whether we bifurcate or not. It's only one percent of the guys or women that are going to be using that type of equipment, but we want to keep the game enjoyable, we want to keep having more kids want to come play it. It's so difficult now, I mean, with everyone walking around with their head down because they can't get away from their mobile device to come out here and play a game that's hopefully more on the slow side, we want to have that type of enjoyment. Part of the discussion going forward is do we bifurcate or not. That's, you know, it's going to be probably even well after my career and my playing days that we will figure that out.

And this on Riviera and classic courses:

Q. Tiger, one more thing on the distance. Riviera seems maybe as well as any other course to have withstood the test of time and the changes, I mean, without having to add five, six, seven hundred yards. What is it about this place that's allowed it do that?

TIGER WOODS: You know, it has and it hasn't. We've lengthened 12, redone 8, they've moved a few tees back. Yes, the alleyways are still the same, but when they moved No.12 back, what, 70yards, it used to be just a 1-iron and a wedge and now you're hitting driver and 4-iron. Yeah, there have been some holes that they're able to extend, but for the most part the confines are what they are here. So where they've tried to add distance, they have, but there's really nowhere to go.

Agent On Current PGA Tour Structure: "Tiger Woods can sell a million dollars' worth of tickets...and he has to shoot scores to get paid"

Bob Harig of ESPN.com provides an “everything you need to know about the league trying to challenge the PGA Tour” perspective. Of note, he focuses in on the building sense that top players and their agents see the stars in golf as severely underpaid, something the Premier Golf League appears to have tapped into.

Said an agent who wished not to be identified: "How can an organization negotiate hundreds of millions of dollars of TV contracts and someone like Tiger or Rory goes out and has the same chance of making the same money as some guy who has come off the Korn Ferry Tour? There is no arbitration panel. And no judge would say that is a fair economic model."

Right or wrong, that has always been a successful model of the PGA Tour. Golf fans have enjoyed the democratic nature of the sport, including the occasional unknown taking down a star. In return, the star has benefited from the opportunity to play via endorsement income that the Tour does not see one penny of after giving them a platform.

But in recent years a few things have changed. The schedule is now year-round and the stars are increasingly asked to tee it up more, including “playoffs” after major season when they would like to be recharging their batteries. The top players are called up every year to play a Cup event. In return? A small donation to their pet cause and free merch they’ll never wear again.

With this added “inventory,” the sense of obligation to play has swollen to untenable levels in the eyes of the elite. Which is how we’ve gotten to this messy place where the Premier Golf League can come along and look attractive to top players by countering the current model.

Tiger Woods Might Have Good Reason To Jump To The Premier Golf League

There is widespread agreement that everything hinges on Tiger Woods.

The proposed Premier Golf League’s potential to steal players from other tours and form a new lucrative circuit could conceivably move forward with most of the world’s best and not Tiger. Alan Shipnuck made the case in his weekly mailbag.

AP’s Doug Ferguson says the World Golf Group’s proposal “doesn’t stand a chance” without Woods, and in making his case notes the many uncertainties of the largely secretive pitch, and this, regarding most pro golfers:

Among many challenges facing Premier Golf League is the robust health of the PGA Tour — increasing prize money, stable sponsorship, a new broadcast deal. That might make it tough for any player to risk membership, and to risk the appearance of turning its back on the tour that helped make them famous.

None of those factors mean a thing to Woods at this point of his career as he shifts to a limited schedule designed to protect his physical health. No one begrudges him for doing so, because his passion to win when he shows up remains impressively strong. But given the potential offerings for a Premier Golf League franchise owner and other perks as a founding owner in the league, he will have to entertain their offer.

In no particular order, reasons Tiger will be tempted to join the Premier Golf League:

—After win number 83, he only needs PGA Tour events as major champioship prep. Woods has reached the Hogan post-accident stage where another huge piece of history is around the corner with his 83rd win. That victory will set the new mark for most PGA Tour titles. But once secured, PGA Tour appearances are nothing but tune-ups for the major championships.

—The money could be insane. When news of a $15 million Players purse broke last week, the thinking in Ponte Vedre clearly was a show that money is flowing back into player coffers. But given the Premier Golf League’s plan, the value of their financial offerings could make even the Players purse look average. The PGL is floating of $10 million weekly purses split among 48 players instead of 65 or so making a PGA Tour cut. On top of the purse, a season long pool for individual and team competitions will be in play. Then there is a structured appearance fee concept based on world ranking just for the players to show up. And reportedly huge travel perks such as private jet flights covered by the league. Even then, should Tiger care about purses when…

—The money could be really insane for him. Holding all of the cards, Woods is expected to be offered substantial incentive to join the tour as a franchise founder. A lump sum payment north of $100,000,000 million seems like a good starting place, though I’d bet he gets more. His franchise will immediately be the most valuable should he ever decide to sell to a billionaire owner some day.

—Deal packaging could make him look insane if he says no. Major backers of this league can put together other elements to entice Woods: golf course design opportunities, expansion of his Foundation, hiring his TGR Live to run events, etc, etc... He may be looking at solidifying his post-career business in ways that only Michael Jordan and a few others can relate to.

—He could be convinced at ten events. While my reporting said the concept had been knocked down to ten events before the season ending championship, the PGL insists they are shooting for their original concept of 18. Woods will never play that many along with the majors. Maybe he negotiates a legend’s clause to only play a select number. However, common sense says he’s not alone. Ten events, the majors and two or three PGA Tour events (Genesis, Memorial, Bay Hill?) will be the maximum for Woods, with other elites wanting a similar schedule. And remember, there will be no more pleas to play the FedExCup playoffs, WGC’s in Memphis in July, and other cumbersome obligations at this stage of his career.

—The Hero World Challenge would be an ideal PGL stop. One other guaranteed Woods appearance each year: the 18-player Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. While sanctioned by the PGA Tour, this could become a stop on the PGL circuit depending on various out clauses and other components to the event’s PGA Tour arrangement.

—A PR hit can be overcome. If Tiger were to flee for another tour, he can bank on a few things happening. Haters will say he’s bailing on the Tour that gave him an opportunity for a big check and they won’t be wrong. He can point out that Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were key players in of overthrowing the PGA of America in the early sixties and they suffered no long term image damage. Fans will accept if Tiger makes such a move as long as they can still see him finish off his career in majors, in the Genesis and occasional Memorial, or when he plays the Premier Golf League. As long as their media platform does not overcharge for the privilege.

—The PGA Tour Brand Is Strong But… Within short time, if enough players defect, “The League” or the “PGL” could become synonymous with golf. A solid 99.5% of the sports viewing public cannot tell you the difference between the PGA Tour and the PGA of America. Or who runs what major events. While Woods could be seen as a deserter and the man who left the PGA Tour in the dust, memories fade faster than ever and as strong as the PGA Tour is, as profound as their charitable efforts are ($3 billion mark passed recently) and as beloved as many tournaments have become in their community, it’s not a dealkiller for Woods, and possibly Mickelson. Other players? Maybe.

Tiger On Kobe

Clearly still in shock from just having learned the news just minutes after walking off Torrey Pines’ 18th green, Tiger Woods composed his thoughts following the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open final round.

Here is what he said to the gathered writers and local television crews:

Q. I'm sure you heard about Kobe Bryant. So what did Kobe mean to you and what did that news feel like when you heard it?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I was saying to Amanda over here, I just heard of it from Joey when we were coming off the 18 green. I didn't understand why they were yelling "Do it for Mamba" on the back nine. People yell things all the time, so I was just, you know, plodding along, doing my own thing. Then when Joey told me that here, it's unbelievable, the reality that he's no longer here.

LeBron breaks his record and he passes today. For all of us  for me, I grew up a diehard Laker fan, always have been my entire life. That's all I remember, and he was part of the most historic franchise in all of the NBA. As I was telling Amanda, what made him so impressive is that he was dominant on the offensive side, yeah, we know that, but he would lock up on D. He played their best guard and shut 'em down for all 48 minutes. That's what made him so special, he played both ends of the court. There are maybe two guys, three guys in the entire NBA history that you can say that, that would do that. He was up for that challenge. And one of the more impressive things that I've ever witnessed is when he ruptured his Achilles and he went to the foul line, made his shots. Ultimate toughness, ultimate competitor, and one of the most shocking, tragic days that I've ever been a part of in a very quick span here.

Q. What kind of relationship did you have? Were you friends?

TIGER WOODS: We were closer when he was probably playing and I had a home in Newport and we would work out together and hang a little bit, but when I sold that house and lived full time in Florida, I didn't really see him that often. But every now and again he would reach out, I would reach out to him. But this is unbelievable.

Q. As a father, the news of also his daughter being in the plane, does that hit extra hard for you?

TIGER WOODS: It does, it does. I just can't imagine what their entire family's going through right now. It's just shocking. I mean, as I said, I probably just found out maybe seven, eight, nine minutes ago, so the reality is setting in very quickly here.

Q. Was it Joe that told you?

TIGER WOODS: Joe told me coming off 18 green. As I said, I didn't understand why people were yelling "Do it for Mamba."

Kobe’s most recent Tweet about Tiger from last April:

TIGER 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 #masters2019

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 14, 2019

Instant Poll: Where Will Tiger Win No. 83?

Ben Everill poses that question to various media figures and not surprisingly, the storytellers are rooting for Riviera, the realists see another win at Bay Hill.

Given his ties to Southern California, breaking Sam Snead’s mark at either Torrey Pines or Riviera would be a fitting way to set the new standard for PGA Tour wins. I’m rooting for Riviera but given the strong state of his game and fondness for Torrey Pines, it seems more likely this week.

Your opinions, please.

Where Will Tiger Woods Win PGA Tour Title 83?

Farmers at Torrey Pines

Genesis at Riviera

Mastercard API at Bay Hill

The Players

The Masters

 

pollcode.com free polls

Would Someone Sit To Get Tiger To The Tokyo Games?

That’s the question posed by Karen Crouse, looking ahead to the 2020 Olympic Games and Tiger’s spot just outside the final qualifying number (four Americans inside the top 15…he’s fifth).

With the money at stake and possibility this is the last chance for Woods to qualify due to playing less and accumulating more World Ranking points, could one of the four before him opt-out for the good of the games?

At the 2004 Australian swimming trials, the superstar Ian Thorpe, the world-record holder and reigning Olympic champion in the 400-meter freestyle, was disqualified from his heat for a false start after he lost his balance on the blocks and fell into the water. The top two finishers in the final qualified for the Athens Games, and scores of Australians soon were publicly calling on Craig Stevens, the runner-up, to relinquish his spot to Thorpe.

There was no danger that Stevens or Thorpe would miss the Games; both had qualified in other events. But a month later, during a televised interview for which he was paid a six-figure sum, Stevens announced that he was ceding his spot in the 400 freestyle to Thorpe, who went on to successfully defend his Olympic title.

For the moment, Woods still controls his fate. After his victory last year at the Masters, he described the Olympics as “a big goal,” but he admitted “getting there and making the team is going to be the tough part.”

And without Woods this time around, the Olympic men’s competition will be a tougher sell. In 2016, there was the novelty of golf’s return and a venue built for the Games. This time, they arrive on the heels of the last major, are playing well outside of Tokyo where temperatures are expected to make things miserable, and are playing a country club course that hardly screams inclusivity. Oh, and the format is flat on arrival.

Tiger At 44: Stats And A Reminder That When Healthy, Playing A Stellar Course, He's Still The Best

Tiger’s 44th birthday shares the perspective spotlight with the equally amazing Lebron James among the elites born December 30th (there’s Sandy Koufax too). And it’s always a nice chance to consider the state of Woods, which some years this decade has been a dreary exercise in wondering what if?

Not 2019!

What a sensational and bizarre year, as presented in four acts here by Bob Harig at ESPN.com. As amazing as the Masters win was—it was predictable to some—act four this fall may actually give us more to chew on. Harig writes of Woods’ August 20th knee surgery and the resulting renaissance:

The results were remarkable. Woods, who hadn't played competitive golf since the BMW Championship and only began practicing about a month before his trip to Japan for a skins game and the Zozo Championship, opened the tournament with three straight bogeys but still bounced back to shoot 64. He shot 64 in the second round and went on for a 3-shot victory, the 82nd of his PGA Tour career to match the record set by Sam Snead.

He was then in contention until the final holes at the Hero World Challenge, finishing fourth, before leading the U.S. team to victory at the Presidents Cup, where he looked like the best player among the 24, going 3-0 in his matches.

The only thing I’d add of the Presidents Cup effort: placed on a firm, fast course eliciting heightened precision, Woods demonstrated that he is still better than everyone else. If his body cooperates and the schedules align to give him opportunities to shine, he will win a lot more.

We’ll have time to consider 2020’s major venues later, so in the meantime enjoy Justin Ray’s 44 Woods stats at the 15th Club. Just a teaser:

42. Tiger won his 82nd career PGA Tour title this fall at the ZOZO Championship in Japan. Across his 82 victories, fellow players in those fields have been born from a span of 1922 (Doug Ford) to 1999 (Devon Bling).

41. Woods has won 18 World Golf Championship titles in his career, twelve more than any other player. Dustin Johnson, who has six, could win every WGC contested through the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Invitational, and he would still be one behind Tiger.

40. Woods’ 82 PGA Tour wins since the beginning of the 1996 season are more than the next two players’ totals on the list combined. Phil Mickelson (39) and Vijay Singh (31), Hall of Famers in their own right, have combined for 70 in that span.

39. Woods is the only player in history to win the U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open in his career. He has won each three times.

38. Tiger is a combined 14-1 in playoffs in his PGA and European Tour careers. The only player to beat him was Billy Mayfair at the 1998 Nissan Open.

Tiger Woods Meet Peter Hay: Pebble Beach's Par-3 To Get Overhaul

The addition of a good par-3 has not become essentially at some of the world’s best golf courses, and while this embrace of fun and short shots should have happened ages ago to “grow the game”, it’s still important news when a place like Pebble Beach jumps in.

The Peter Hay Golf Course has been around since 1957, a vision of a longtime professional at Pebble Beach who worked with Jack Neville on the delightful pitch and putt. But time has passed by the course and so the Pebble Beach Company’s decision to enhance the course adjacent-ish to the first hole.

Monterey Peninsula ambassador Alan Shipnuck reports that Woods is still working through the details but will emphasize the amazing views U.S. Open spectators enjoy when entering the event over Peter Hay’s course.

Besides trying to keep up with other big name golf-focused resorts and upgrading what was not very well maintained, it sounds like the vision is not entirely centered around profit, a frequent vibe at Pebble Beach that can be a deterrent to enjoying such a special place.

Peter Hay — named for one of Pebble’s first head pros, who was a champion of junior golf — has always been and shall remain free for kids 12 and under to play. (Teens paid $10 and adults $30.) As the only par-3 on the Monterey Peninsula it is an important portal for beginners and families. Pricing has not yet been announced but Perrochi says, “We know this golf course serves many different constituents. Obviously the goal is to attract more resort guests, but Peter Hay will remain the home of junior golf on the Peninsula.”

Ramifications Of 2019's Presidents Cup's Big Ratings: 141% Increase Since Korea

Of course naysayers will score a few points noting Tiger’s involvement, which still draws up to a million more eyeballs than most golf telecasts. And they won’t be wrong.

But consider what the Presidents Cup was facing this year in drawing an audience: late night finishes in the Eastern Time Zone, Christmas party and event season when people are less likely to be home on a Friday or Saturday night, and the Presidents Cup coming on the heels of a fall when cartoon reruns drew larger ratings than most of the PGA Tour’s fall events (especially non-Tiger Asia swing tournaments).

First, For Immediate Release:

MOST-WATCHED CABLE TELECAST IN PRESIDENTS CUP HISTORY

Saturday’s Final Day Singles Matches on GOLF Channel Featuring Playing

Captain Tiger Woods Sees 141% Increase vs. 2015 Final Day in South Korea 

Viewership Peaked at 2.15 Million Viewers Per Minute (11:15-11:30P ET)

as United States Team Was Completing its Come-From-Behind Victory 

ORLANDO, Fla., (Dec. 16, 2019) – Saturday’s Final Day singles matches at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia became the most-watched cable telecast in Presidents Cup history, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals. 

Airing live in primetime on GOLF Channel (6 p.m.-12:05 a.m. ET), the final day posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.742 million viewers per minute (+141% vs. ’15 Final Day), including 1.705 million viewers per minute tuning in to the linear telecast. Viewership peaked at 2.15 million viewers per minute (1.37 U.S. HH rating) from 11:15-11:30 p.m. ET as the United States team was completing its come-from-behind victory over the International team. Saturday also became the most-streamed Final Day in Presidents Cup history.

There was also this regarding Friday’s eleven hour telecast featuring two sessions. Note that viewership average over eleven hours of golf:

VIEWERSHIP: @PresidentsCup Day 3 matches TAD (Total Audience Delivery) averaged 841K viewers per min on @GolfChannel, +47% vs '15 Pres Cup in South Korea.
- Peaked 8:45-9 pm ET with 1.172 million viewers
- Most-streamed Presidents Cup day on record with 13.8 million live minutes pic.twitter.com/bf6sj9JF9S

— Golf Channel PR (@GolfChannelPR) December 14, 2019

Yet to come in as of this post: NBC’s numbers from the weekend showing the repeat of the sessions. Later in the week we should have a sense of total audience.

But we already know enough from such strong numbers in weird time slots to highlight a few things.

—Sports fans will watch for long spans or dip in for decent-lengths of time if it’s compelling, featuring elite players at a quality venue.

—Team events and match play continue to engage fans in ways that stroke play cannot.

—Never hurts to have a close match.

—The PGA Championship, played at night in Australia, in a winter month, and in Olympic years as many suggested, would have been a ratings success along with a “grow the game” extravaganza.

Clayton: Royal Melbourne Allowed Tiger To Show He's Still Better Than Everyone

At the 2019 Presidents Cup, a supreme design presented free of distance defenses was both fun to watch and possibly horrifying for the golfers who make a living at the game. Because as Mike Clayton notes for Golf Australia, on a golf course requiring both brains, brawn and control, Tiger Woods was allowed to play freely.

Off the tee he put the ball right where he had to and then set to work with his irons. In fairness, most of them were short ones, but every time he looked up the ball was going right where he aimed it. The trajectory was perfect, the ball shaped to suit the green and only rarely did he take himself out of a hole by missing in the wrong place.



At the par-3 third with 148 yards to the hole, he flew a wedge a step short of the front line of the green and, as every member at Royal Melbourne knows, the inevitability is the ball tumbles back 20 paces to the base of the hill. He was short again at the treacherous uphill, fifth, but they were rare errors. 

It was a master class in playing a treacherous golf course with control and precision and watching Woods swing and hit this week suggests the race is still on for Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record. 



He was the best player here.

This does beg a question. Tiger should ask the governing bodies dragging their feet on distance and equipment regulation how many majors they think he might have won had they not let bomb and gouge become a thing that works? You know, just as a conversation starter.

Tiger Talking Modern Game "Speed" At Drama-Free Hero World Challenge

For a silly season event—albeit one with world ranking points on the line—this Hero World Challenge has none of the baggage and sadness of some previous editions. As I wrote here for Golfweek, the tournament host arrives with the green jacket, a healthy body and only the burden of hosting the week before he serves as captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Good times!

In Tuesday’s press conference, I tried to tee up Woods on the speed push in golf and if there are any dangers to it. His answer was insightful, though he stopped short of suggesting a remedy to minimize the increase in injuries. I explain for Golfweek.com here.

Woods tees off in round one of the Hero at 11:35 am ET.

Tiger Declined Enormous Saudi Arabia Appearance Fee

On the heels of Phil Mickelson taking an unusually high amount of criticism for agreeing to play next year’s European Tour event in Saudi Arabia, Bob Harig reports for ESPN.com that Tiger Woods declined a fee in the neighborhood of $3 million.

"I just don't want to go over there," Woods told ESPN. "It's a long way.''

Woods addressed the topic and Phil Mickelson in a televised press conference this way, reports Ewan Murray in The Guardian:

"I understand the politics behind it," Woods said Tuesday of the controversy. "But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it. And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.

And Then Tiger And Joey Sat Down To Watch The 2019 Masters

Great stuff here from The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster sharing Tiger’s retelling of watching the 2019 Masters final round broadcast with caddie Joe LaCava.

“I sat down and watched it with Joe [LaCava],” added Woods of a success that re-ignited his bid to chase down the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus after a drought of nearly nine years. “He came down to do a TV spot then he and I just sat there, had a few beers and watched it. We spoke about the conversations that we had over each shot; some of our friends and family who were there were like ‘Oh my God, you guys really talked about that?’

“But that’s what we were talking about, that’s what was going on. We were running through all the scenarios, Joe looking at the boards, I am looking at the boards. We were trying to figure out what was going on; who birdied what, who was 
making a move.

How Tiger Keeps Things Interesting, A Theory

Playing as a cup team Captain is a feat. And an annoyance he did not need.

As is selecting Patrick Reed when you did not have to do so for a Presidents Cup team, particularly just a year removed from Reed’s 2018 Ryder Cup controversy (and awful play).

All I can conclude is that Tiger is making the 2019 Presidents Cup interesting for himself.

After all, he’s kind of been there, done that with just about everything in the game. Another Presidents Cup is not going to get his competitive juices flowing. But play as a captain and try to rehab Patrick Reed…now that’s a challenge. My Golfweek column.

Captain America Is (Already!?) Back: Patrick Reed Gets A Presidents Cup Pick A Year After Ryder Cup Debacle

A year removed from questioning his Ryder Cup pairing with Tiger Woods and generally stinking up the joint in Paris, Patrick Reed gets one of four picks for the 2019 Presidents Cup.

There they are, the four selected: Tony Finau, Patrick Reed, Gary Woodland and Tiger Woods.

Steve DiMeglio on Tiger choosing himself.