Tiger Woods is set to make his first competitive appearance since The Open Championship in July at this week’s PNC Championship, teeing it up alongside son Charlie in the iconic family event. Team Woods will be looking for their first victory at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club after posting exclusively top-eight results in their first four attempts – including a runner-up finish at the 2021 tournament. The 15-time Major winner has been out of action since the final men’s Major of the year due to undergoing a sixth back surgery during early September. Following several weeks of rehabilitation, the 48-year-old made the decision to forego a spot in the Hero World Challenge at the start of December in favor of more rest ahead of this PGA Tour Champions-sanctioned event.
In The Bahamas, Woods admitted he was still not “tournament sharp” and felt he would not be able to compete with some of the best young male golfers on the planet in his current shape. There, he would have needed to walk 18 holes a day between Thursday and Sunday without the assistance of a cart to ease the stress on his back. Yet, with another two weeks’ rest and the ability to use a golf cart over the course of two days in Florida, Woods was more than happy to commit to the scramble competition for Major winners and their family members. But why is Woods allowed to use a golf cart in this event and not at the Hero World Challenge, for example? The answer is simple: The PNC Championship is sanctioned by the PGA Tour Champions, which allows competitors to drive a cart if required – except for during select events and all senior Majors.
However, there are a couple of key restrictions regarding their use, such as being unable to drive past the player’s own ball in order to scout or assess their next shot. Plus, during official rounds, the player or caddie is permitted to drive the cart but they cannot ride together unless it is between holes or announced by the Rules Official Tournament Director. The golfer’s bag must also stay with the caddie at all times, no matter what. Tiger’s teenage daughter Sam caddied for him last year, with Lance Bennett taking over professional looping responsibilities for the 82-time PGA Tour winner during all four Majors in 2024.
PGA Tour golfers cannot use a cart during tournament play. Only competitors in PGA Tour Champions events – with the exception of senior Majors and some other high-profile tournaments – are able to use a golf cart if required. This rule is put in place to ensure a level playing field for all participants and to maintain the integrity and tradition of the game. While some may argue that allowing golf carts could speed up play and benefit players with physical limitations, the decision to restrict their use is a long-standing rule in professional golf that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
In conclusion, Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie is a highly anticipated event for fans and players alike. Despite his recent back surgery and concerns about his physical condition, Woods is determined to compete in this family-oriented tournament with the help of a golf cart. The PGA Tour Champions’ policy on using carts in select events provides an opportunity for players with medical conditions or other limitations to continue playing competitive golf at the highest level. While carts are not allowed on the PGA Tour, they play a crucial role in allowing seasoned veterans like Woods to continue playing the game they love. As Woods prepares to take on the challenge at the PNC Championship, golf fans around the world eagerly await his return to the course.
