The 48-year-old has shown flashes of the genius that made him arguably the greatest player of all time in his recent performances, but his endurance and ability to walk the golf course four days in succession have been hampered by the lingering effects of a high-speed car crash in 2021.
Woods’ performances have led fans to ponder what he would be capable of if he no longer had to worry about walking all 18 holes, but he has ruled out the chance of ever doing so on the PGA Tour. Players can use a cart under the Americans with Disabilities Act following a Supreme Court verdict that ruled in favour of Casey Martin, who had a circulatory disease, in 2021.
The ruling meant players could use a cart during events if they received a waiver, with John Daly using one at the PGA Championship last month. But categorically Woods ruled out the chance of ever doing so on the PGA Tour when asked in 2022.
Morikawa was asked at his press conference ahead of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio this week whether he thought Woods was letting his pride get in the way of making a smart decision.
Woods has played just three times on the PGA Tour in 2024
“Yeah, but his ego is pretty big, as is all of ours,” the two-time major champion replied. “I think he wants to keep doing it until he can’t and maybe there’s something about a golf cart that ain’t it [for him]. I’d be taking a golf cart if they allowed me.”
Morikawa was invited to Woods’ Tiger Jam event in Las Vegas last week, with a star-studded guest list enjoying golf, poker and other activities to raise money for his foundation. The pair put on a clinic for youngsters at the event and Morikawa was stunned by Woods’ ability with the clubs in his hand despite his mobility being compromised by his injuries.
“The skill and the feel are still all there, right? So you wouldn’t know, but you add that over time, over 18 holes, over the course of 72 holes and the entire week of prep. The guy has been through a lot,” Morikawa said.
“But I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to do something like that and talk to him and hang out because you go back and look at your 15-year-old self and say ‘You’re going to spend a few hours with Tiger playing poker, hitting a few golf balls on the range, picking his brain, screwing around’, that’s a dream, right? So that’s pretty cool.”
Woods is not in the field for The Memorial, but he is set to be back in action at Pinehurst No. 2 next week for the US Open after receiving a special invitation from the United States Golf Association.
