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After Impressive PNC, What’s Next for Tiger?

Published

3 years ago

December 23, 2021

The switch flipped around the turn. Tiger Woods had been in hit-and-giggle mode for the previous two-plus days of the PNC Championship, content to play a few shots and crack a few jokes. Let us not forget that the man nearly lost his leg in February. But Tiger felt better from the moment he woke up Sunday morning, and Team Woods had the lead in sight. The smiles turned to fist-pumps. The wandering eyes locked in on the prize. Something about that Sunday red-and-black.

Tiger and Charlie put on one helluva show, dropping 11 straight birdies from Nos. 7-17 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club to briefly tie Team Daly for the lead. There was, incredibly, a legitimate buzz in the air for a December exhibition featuring three kids too young to drive and two men older than 80. Virtually every single spectator on site followed the Woodses all day, and those hotel guests who couldn’t score the hot ticket found a hillside where they could glimpse the action. It was the group behind, however, that produced the champion: John Daly, still smokin’ his smokes and drinking his Diet Cokes, and John Daly II, now a freshman on the Arkansas golf team and no longer Little, put in a spoiler performance that’d make 2009 Stewart Cink proud.

The Woodses’ 15-under 57 came up two shots short, in solo second, but now we’re talking semantics. Tiger will be beaming on the 30-minute flight back to Jupiter—for the way he played, the way he felt and how his 12-year-old son composed himself and performed in the high-tension moments.

Charlie Woods played a high, soft cut into the 16th green. Start it in the middle of the green, let it move toward the hole. Just like dad. Birdie. And then he topped that on the next hole, the difficult par-3 17th, when he held a 5-iron into a right-to-left wind and snuggled his ball to three feet from a water-guarded front-right flag. It was the closest anyone got on that hole, including the pros. Birdie. Both Tiger and Charlie knew they needed to eagle the par-5 finishing hole, a distinct possibility after Tiger’s second crawled just over the green. As he approached his ball, the sun gleaming off his forearms and his eyes locked on a landing spot, context flew out the window. This was Tiger being Tiger.

“The competitive juices, they are never going to go away. This is my environment. This is what I’ve done my entire life,” Tiger said afterward. “I’m just so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to do it again. Earlier this year was not a very good start to the year, and it didn’t look very good. But the last few weeks, to push as hard as we have the last seven months with taking no days off and just working our butts off each and every day, and to have this opportunity to be able to play with my son and to have these memories, for us, for both of us, our lifetime, it’s worth all the pain.”

Team Woods shot an impressiive 15-under 57—with 11 straight birdies—on Sunday to finish second.

Jensen Larson for Golf Digest

This week was always going to be a test for Woods. He’d played only two or three rounds all year, and certainly not three days in a row. He’ll be encouraged that he had noticeably more speed and pop on Sunday than the previous two days. He also had much better bottom-control, which is tour speak for being able to have the club interact with the turf/ball at the same time over and over. There were no drop-kick drivers, like there were on Saturday.

Justin Thomas, who Woods played with on Saturday, still came away beaming. “I was so impressed by the speed that he had and the shots he was hitting,” Thomas said. “At least from my perspective, it looked like a lot of the moves and everything were there.”

For all that’s been made of Woods ushering in the power era of golf, his strength has always been his irons. They have survived five knee surgeries and five back surgeries, and, for the moment, a horrific car accident. Woods had tour-level distance control all week and looked comfortable shaping the ball both ways. There were high cuts and there were low draws. The shot he hit into the par-3 eighth—a 4-iron cut that pierced through the wind and still sat soft, those are Tiger shots. There were a lot of Tiger shots this week. More than anyone expected.

“Way impressed,” said Sunday playing partner Matt Kuchar, who has played his fair share of golf with his fellow 40-pluser. “He’s still flushing it. Still has speed. Irons are spectacular. Tiger Woods of old-like irons. Huntin’ flags, pin high every time. It’s awesome.”

His driver swing is noticeably different; he’s much more flat footed at impact, a nod to the fact he’s not yet comfortable pushing off his right leg and clearing onto his left side during the downswing. There’s more wrist action at the bottom that he’d like. Because he cannot generate the speed with his legs, much of it comes from the arms. It is, ironically, somewhat analogous to the way Phil Mickelson generates speed. Whether he’ll move back toward that squat-and-clear motion as his leg strengthens remains to be seen. So much remains to be seen.

If this week proved anything, it’s that Tiger still has the game. He can still hit the golf shots … so long as he has a ride to the next one. For a man who has lived a complicated life in the public eye, his greatest challenge moving forward is, ironically, so very simple: walking. It boils down to whether he can walk 18 holes for five straight days. Because, as his caddie Joe LaCava reminded us this week, tournament golf requires a practice round. Even for Tiger. And that’s to say nothing of the practice ramp-up he’ll need to get the game to a place where it can stand up to Rahm and Rory and rough. Because of the scramble format, and the Woods boys’ overall proficiency at golf, we still haven’t seen Tiger hit a single shot out of rough.

“I’m not … I’m not at that level. I can’t compete again these guys right now, no,” Tiger said. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get to where I feel like I can compete at these guys and be at a high level.”

Tiger rides in a golf cart with his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and his daughter, Sam Woods, during Sunday’s final round.

Ben Jared

Woods did fatigue as the afternoon wore on. There were a number of grimaces. But pain—pain he can deal with. His leg has its structural integrity back; doctors told him there was no risk of further injury this week. It would just be a matter of pain management.

As for what’s next, it’s more of the same. Gym work and physical therapy, every single day, multiple times per day. Woods, who turns 46 next Thursday, said earlier this week that he has not taken a single day off in his rehab. This, a taste of the intoxicating rush of competition, will only motivate him further.

“As I told you guys in the Bahamas, I’m not going to play a full schedule ever again. I’m going to have to pick and choose what events, and even then, my body might not cooperate with that. So I don’t know how many events I’m going to be playing in. And it’s going to be up to training sessions, practice sessions, recovery tactics, all those different things to be able to do it. As I said … [I’m] protective on it now, and just so thankful to be able to do this again because it didn’t look good there for a little.”

Earlier this week, Woods scoffed at the notion of requesting a cart for a PGA Tour event. “That’s just not who I am,” he said. “That’s not how I’ve always been.” He will take exactly zero handouts on his road back, which is nowhere near its completion. And yet this week cannot be considered anything but a hugely encouraging sign.

As for the future, well, we likely won’t hear much from Tiger over the next few months. He seems to prefer dropping news out of nowhere and sending the internet into a frenzy. Until then, or until he steps into the public eye once again, he’ll return to a cadence of living that’s become all too familiar: rehab, rehab, rehab.

The week was everything that Tiger had hoped for in his return to golf: “I’m just so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to do it again.” *Ben Jared*

This article originally appeared on Golf Digest.

Related Topics:news PGA Tour Tiger Woods

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These 18 Golf Jokes Are So Funny, Even Your Scorecard Will Laugh!

If your golf game isn’t turning heads for the right reasons, keep your playing partners entertained with these 18 hilarious golf jokes—one for every hole!

Published

7 days ago

February 14, 2025

The Bogeyman "Boo"

Let’s face it—sometimes, your golf game isn’t exactly Tour-level. And when your drives are slicing into the trees and your putts are missing by a mile, you need a solid backup plan. That’s where humor comes in.

Next time you’re out on the course, distract your playing partners from your less-than-stellar shots with a few well-timed golf jokes. Not only will you lighten the mood, but you might just make them laugh so hard they forget to notice how bad your last swing was.

So, here are 18 hilarious golf jokes, one for each hole. Enjoy—and may your game be better than your punchlines!

Hole 1 – The Warm-Up

🏌️ Why do golfers always carry an extra pair of socks?
Because they might get a hole in one!

Hole 2 – Getting Into the Swing

🏌️ What’s the difference between a bad golfer and a bad skydiver?
A bad golfer goes, “Whack… darn.” A bad skydiver goes, “Darn… whack.”

Hole 3 – The Early Struggles

🏌️ Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants?
In case he got a hole in one… again!

Hole 4 – Time for Some Trash Talk

🏌️ Why did the pro golfer bring string to the course?
To tie the score.

Hole 5 – That First Lost Ball

🏌️ Why did the golfer wear two different shoes?
Because he had a rough time deciding which was the right one.

Hole 6 – The First Bogey of the Day

🏌️ Why don’t golfers ever get locked out of their cars?
Because they always have plenty of “drivers.”

Hole 7 – That One Friend Who Takes Golf Too Seriously

🏌️ Why did the golfer take an extra club to the course?
Because he heard the drinks were on the house.

Hole 8 – Time for a Drink at the Turn

🏌️ What’s a golfer’s favorite type of music?
Swing.

Hole 9 – Mid-Round Meltdown

🏌️ Why did the golfer bring a ladder?
Because he heard the course was on another level!

Hole 10 – Starting the Back Nine Strong

🏌️ Why did the golfer bring a light bulb to the course?
Because he wanted to brighten up his scorecard.

Hole 11 – Watching Someone Miss an Easy Putt

🏌️ Why did the golfer put his money in the fridge?
Because he wanted cold, hard cash for the skins game.

Hole 12 – That One Friend Who’s Always Complaining

🏌️ Why did the golfer bring sunscreen?
Because he didn’t want to get burned on the scorecard.

Hole 13 – When Your Friend Thinks They’re Better Than They Are

🏌️ What’s the difference between a golfer and a fisherman?
A golfer lies about how many strokes he took, a fisherman lies about how big his catch was.

Hole 14 – Golf Etiquette 101

🏌️ Why do golfers always tell the truth?
Because they can’t handle any more penalties.

Hole 15 – The Last-Ditch Effort to Save Your Score

🏌️ Why do golfers love donuts?
Because they’re always working on their “hole” game.

Hole 16 – The Final Stretch

🏌️ Why did the golfer get kicked out of the party?
Because he kept trying to address the ball.

Hole 17 – When Everyone’s Feeling Good

🏌️ What do you call a golfer who always gets a par?
A liar.

Hole 18 – Wrapping It Up in Style

🏌️ Why did the golfer bring an umbrella?
Because he heard there was a chance of showers on the scorecard.

If your golf game isn’t making people smile, at least your jokes can. Keep a few of these in your bag, and even if your drives aren’t straight, your humor will be right on target.

Now go out there, crack a joke, and enjoy the game—because at the end of the day, golf is supposed to be fun! 🏌️‍♂️🤣

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5 Pristine Public Courses To Start Your Florida Tour!

Warm up on these pristine public courses in the Sunshine State.

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2025

Bobby Markowitz

Florida is a favorite among golf lovers with 1,154 courses and 101 sunny days each year. The state also boasts the most rounds played, the most new courses opened, and the most courses under construction or in planning.

Several of its major cities offer top-notch golf experiences. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best public golf courses in Florida:

Orlando

Orange County National Golf Center
Features two championship courses, Panther Lake and Crooked Cat, and a 9-hole short course called “The Tooth.” Renowned for its exceptional practice facilities and hosting the PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day.

Tampa

Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort
This Larry Packard-designed course is a favorite among PGA Tour players, known for its challenging layout and natural beauty. It hosts the Valspar Championship annually.

Naples

Old Corkscrew Golf Club
A Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course, it offers a scenic and challenging experience with firm greens and abundant wildlife. It consistently ranks among Florida’s top public courses.

Miami

Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne: Located just 10 minutes from downtown Miami, this unique public course offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It features challenging bunkering, mangrove thickets, and seven saltwater lakes.

Port St. Lucie

PGA Golf Club: Located in Port St. Lucie, about an hour north of West Palm Beach, this club offers three distinct 18-hole courses: the Dye, Ryder, and Wanamaker. It will host the 2025 PGA Professional Championship.

Why Play Florida?

Diverse and Exceptional Courses

Iconic Venues: Florida boasts several legendary golf courses that offer unforgettable experiences:

Unique Course Characteristics

Varied Landscapes: Florida golf courses offer remarkable diversity:

Links-style experiences
Coastal views with ocean breezes
Courses with dramatic elevation changes
Layouts featuring water hazards, strategic bunkers, and challenging greens

World-Class Amenities

Most top Florida courses provide:

Luxury resort accommodations
Professional-level practice facilities
Top-tier caddies and service
Stunning natural scenery

Pro Tip: Bring your best game and be prepared for challenging, memorable golf experiences across Florida’s diverse courses.

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Winter is Ruining Your Golf Game—Here’s How to Survive Until Spring

Surviving the Brutal Wait for Spring’s Glorious Return

Published

1 week ago

February 12, 2025

Ty Webb

Ah, winter—a time of holiday cheer, cozy sweaters, and absolute, soul-crushing misery for golfers everywhere. As the latest round of winter storms batter the U.S., dumping snow where we don’t want it (on our fairways) and ice where we don’t need it (on our driveways), we golfers find ourselves trapped in a seasonal purgatory, longing for the smell of freshly cut grass and the sweet, soul-redeeming sound of a well-struck 7-iron.

If you’re like me, you’ve started to wonder: Is spring ever coming? Or is golf now just a distant memory, a sport we once played before Mother Nature decided we needed an extended lesson in patience?

The 5 Stages of Golf Winter Withdrawal

Denial: “It’s fine. Winter won’t last that long. I’ll be back on the course in no time.”
Anger: “WHY do I live in a place where my driver spends more time in the garage than in my hands?”
Bargaining: “Maybe if I buy an indoor putting mat, it’ll feel like the real thing? Maybe?”
Depression: “Is watching old Masters highlights at 2 AM healthy? Asking for a friend.”
Acceptance: “Guess I’ll just work on my swing in the mirror until April. Or move to Florida.”

The Snow-Covered Fairway Blues

Somewhere out there, our favorite golf courses are suffering. Once lush fairways now sit buried under six inches of snow, tee boxes frozen solid, and bunkers transformed into icy death traps. A cruel joke, really—Mother Nature took our sand hazards and said, “Here, let me make this worse.”

And yet, we dream. We dream of that first warm day when the snow finally melts, and the smell of spring fills the air. That first glorious tee shot—likely a slice after months of rust—will still feel like the best shot we’ve ever hit. Until then, we sit, bundled up indoors, questioning every life choice that led us to live somewhere that experiences seasons.

Indoor Golf: A Poor Substitute for the Real Thing

Some of us turn to golf simulators to get our fix, stepping into an artificial paradise where every shot is met with a digital readout rather than a real-world outcome. Sure, it’s fun, but let’s be honest—it’s not the same.

You know what’s missing? The smell of the grass. The feel of the wind. The guy in your foursome who takes five practice swings and still tops the ball 30 yards. Golf is a sensory experience, and no amount of indoor screens can truly replace the joy of walking down a sun-drenched fairway, feeling like you might break 80 today (but probably won’t).

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

As winter drags on, golfers get creative. Maybe you’ve chipped foam balls in your living room, narrowly avoiding a disaster with the ceiling fan. Maybe you’ve tried putting into a coffee mug, pretending it’s the final hole at Augusta. Maybe you’ve looked longingly at your clubs, whispering, “Soon, my loves. Soon.”

Whatever your coping mechanism, just know—you’re not alone. Golfers everywhere are suffering in silence, counting down the days until the courses reopen and we can finally, finally duff a wedge shot in real grass instead of on our living room carpet.

Hope Springs Eternal (Eventually)

Yes, winter is cruel. Yes, the storms will keep coming. But, fellow golfers, our time will come. The snow will melt, the courses will reopen, and we’ll once again complain about slow play and missed putts under the warm spring sun.

Until then, keep your head down, keep your grip loose, and try not to lose your mind while waiting for golf season to return. And if all else fails—maybe it’s time to book that trip to Arizona or Florida. Just saying.

Stay strong, my fellow golf-deprived souls. Warmer days are coming.