Tiger Woods is in talks with the USGA to take part in the US Senior Open in 2026, and his good friend Steve Stricker has told Golfweek he anticipates the governing body will ‘make special rules’ to ensure the 15-time major champion can ride in a golf cart.
Woods, 48, will be eligible to participate on the over 50s PGA Tour Champions circuit in 2026.
The former World No.1 turns 50 on 30 December 2025.
By then he will be eligible to participate in the 2026 US Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Ohio.
As a result of Woods having recently undergone ankle surgery, not to mention several back surgeries prior to that, the PGA Tour Champions would permit the use of a golf cart should he wish to take up the offer.
That is something that English PGA Tour Champions pro Paul Broadhurst has done.
Broadhurst recently told The Mirror:
“The tour are hoping Tiger is going to play the Champions Tour, no question. They are really hopeful and I think he has given out signs that he is more than happy to play once he turns 50. He will be able to take a cart – that won’t be an issue for him. He will perhaps be looking forward to playing without walking around.”
Broadhurst’s comments echo those of record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus.
In 2023, Nicklaus revealed a conversation he had with Woods about using a golf cart but only when reaches the seniors tour.
Nicklaus said:
“I told him, I said ‘Tiger you’re eligible to take a cart’, but he said ‘I’m not going to do that, when I get to the senior tour I will. He’d love to play the senior tour. That’s what I love about Tiger, he’s a competitor, he loves competition.”
Woods has consistently made it clear he does not want to ride in a golf cart during competition until he reaches the senior circuit.
All the while Woods is able to participate in PGA Tour events and the big four majors of the season – The Masters, US PGA, US Open, The Open – he has reiterated no desire to take any option of a golf cart.
Woods is regularly seen using a golf cart during his practice rounds back home to help him go easy on his feet.
The record 82-time PGA Tour winner admits he is still able to ‘hit all the shots’ but just struggles to walk a full 72 holes.
But according to Woods’ good friend Stricker, who has won 12 times on the PGA Tour and an equially impressive 17 times on the PGA Tour Champions, he believes the USGA would change their current golf cart policy to allow Woods to use one for the 2026 US Senior Open.
Stricker was speaking to Golfweek ahead of the 2024 US Senior Open at Newport Country Club this week.
“Let’s make sure he can play,” said Stricker.
“You hate to make special rules but if we can get him out here with a cart, let’s do it, you know what I mean.
“We should do everything we can.”
Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy believes Woods would be competitive once again if he decided to use a cart.
He also considers PGA Tour Champions events would generate even more television views than PGA Tour events once Woods joins the over 50s circuit.
“Taking a golf cart changes everything for him. Interest from both fans and sponsors is going to be through the roof.
“I think there’s a good chance that Champions Tour ratings can top the PGA Tour when he decides to play, and what else is he going to?”
PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady would appear to agree with Ogilvy.
“Will our ratings go up? Absolutely. Could I see NBC and Golf Channel wanting to put an event on the network? Yeah.
“Tiger would have to commit early enough for us to make that happen.”
Woods has only been able to play in four competitions this week.
He withdrew during the second round of the Genesis Invitational, before finishing dead last of those that made the halfway cut at The Masters.
Woods then missed both cuts at the US PGA and US Open.
He is expecting to next tee it up at The Open at Royal Troon from 18-21 July.
Woods saw one of his OWGR records completely smashed by Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship on Sunday.
English LIV Golf duo Lee Westwood and Richard Bland are both making their US Senior Open debuts this week.
Bland starts a warm tournament favourite at odds of 4/1 having won on his senior debut at the Senior PGA Championship last month.
Stricker is also amongst the favourites alongside Westwood, last week’s winner Padraig Harrington and in-form Ernie Els, who has won two of his last three tournaments.
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