Tiger Woods Won't Commit to Playing 2022 PGA Championship 4th Round Due to Injury
May 21, 2022
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MAY 21: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts to his tee shot on the second hoel during the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 21, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images )
Tiger Woods skipped his post-round press conference and has not committed to playing in Sunday's final round of the 2022 PGA Championship.
Amanda Balionis Renner of CBS reported Woods is sore following an ugly third-round 79 that saw him grimace in pain on several occasions (h/t golf writer Geoff Shackleford).
The 15-time major champion is playing in his second tournament since a February 2021 car crash that nearly led to the amputation of his right leg. He managed to make it to the final rounds at both the Masters and PGA Championship, but it's clear his body struggles with the rigors of a four-day event.
Woods began his day one over through his first five holes before things completely fell apart on the par-three sixth. He plunked his tee shot into the water before continuing to spray the ball around, eventually carding a triple bogey. Over a seven-hole span, Woods went nine over par and seemed in danger of beating his worst-ever score of 85.
While Woods managed to right the ship over his final five holes, playing them at one under, he's clearly nowhere near 100 percent healthy. This diminished state can occasionally produce some solid golf, and he had the crowd roaring Friday when he narrowly made the cut with a one-under 69 in Round 2.
That said, it may be better for his body to get back on the rehabilitation train away from the competitive golf world for the time being.
Tiger Woods' 3rd-Round Struggles at PGA Championship Stir Debate About Future
May 21, 2022
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MAY 21: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the third round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 21, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images )
A day after Tiger Woods gritted his teeth and fought his way to a one-under 69 to make the cut at the 2022 PGA Championship, his body failed him.
Woods shot a nine-over score of 79 in Saturday's third round, one of his worst-ever scores in a major championship. The 15-time major winner carded seven bogeys against just one birdie and put up an ugly six on the par-three sixth that served as the nadir of his tournament.
Social media was buzzing with concern as Woods clearly struggled to physically make his way through the round.
It’s hard watching Tiger be in so much pain. The fight he has to get through this round is incredible
They don't think about their old selves the way we do. They're obsessive about their craft, and they keep obsessing internally even as the skill diminishes. People thought it was sad to watch Jordan struggled. He didn't five a single f---. He liked competing. It's all he knew.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) May 21, 2022
I have no idea how Tiger is going to compete in the British Open. Cold temperatures are hell on his aching body. So tough for him to get loosened up in the cold. Four straight days like today at Southern Hills? Oh boy.
Woods is playing in his second tournament since coming back from a February 2021 car crash that nearly led to the amputation of his right leg.
Both tournaments have followed a similar script, featuring solid-enough Thursdays and Fridays before his body failed him over the weekend. At the Masters, Woods managed to stay afloat well enough to finish in 47th place.
At the PGA, Woods is currently in a tie for 76th. Sepp Straka is the only player who made the cut who has a lower overall score.
It's been both admirable and difficult to watch Woods try to tough it out and compete at the highest level while still clearly moving in a diminished state. His pure determination is what made him arguably the greatest athlete of his generation.
That said, it's clear Tiger is going to see this through and push his body to the brink—for better or for worse.
PGA Championship 2022 Tee Times: Pairings and Predictions for Saturday Schedule
May 21, 2022
Will Zalatoris walks on the fourth green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Friday, May 20, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Action from the 104th PGA Championship will continue with Round 3 on Saturday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
While this year's tournament hasn't featured defending champion Phil Mickelson, who withdrew from the event, there are plenty of other storylines to follow.
Tiger Woods, only 15 months removed from a severe car crash that significantly injured his leg, is playing in his second major in six weeks after he made his triumphant return at Augusta National for the Masters.
And Will Zalatoris, the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year who carded a 65 in Round 2 to sit atop the leaderboard at Friday's end, is going for his first major win.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 20, 2022
Behind Zalatoris, who sits at nine under, is Mito Pereira (-8) and Justin Thomas (-6). Pereira, who shot six under for 64 on Friday, will be paired with Zalatoris in the final tee time on Saturday. Thomas shot a second-round 67.
Bubba Watson (-5) had a fantastic Round 2, shooting 63 and hitting nine birdies—a career best in a major round.
Woods, who started Friday's play at four over, managed to avoid missing the cut and will move on to Round 3 with a one-under 69.
One of the most surprising outcomes on Friday was reigning Masters champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler missing the cut this weekend. Golf never fails to surprise.
Other notable cuts included Henrik Stenson (+5), Dustin Johnson (+6), Sergio Garcia (+7), Adam Scott (+7) and John Daly (+8). TV coverage of Saturday's play will be available on ESPN until 1 p.m. ET and on CBS after that, and you can stream Round 3 of the tournament on ESPN+.
Let's take a closer look at the pairings and tee times for Saturday's action and make some predictions for who will emerge triumphant on Sunday.
2022 PGA Championship Round 3 Tee Times
The full listing of tee times for Saturday's play can be found in the following tweet:
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 21, 2022
Notable pairings include:
8:30 a.m.: Shaun Norris and Tiger Woods
10:10 a.m.: Brooks Koepka and Jason Kokrak
10:40 a.m.: Denny McCarthy and Jordan Speith
10:50 a.m.: Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau
12:40 p.m.: Cameron Smith and Cameron Young
1:30 p.m.: Rory McIlroy and Abraham Ancer
1:40 p.m.: Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson
1:50 p.m.: Will Zalatoris and Mito Pereira
(All times are ET)
As for who to keep an eye on, it's hard to imagine Zalatoris' hot play cooling down on Saturday. The 25-year-old has been the picture of consistency not only in this tournament, but also in majors so far in his budding career.
As Patrick McDonald and Kyle Boone at CBS Sports pointed out, the Texan has gone 18 for 18 on putts inside 10 feet so far this week.
History is on Zalatoris' side as well. All seven players who have won majors at Southern Hills have held the lead or co-lead after 36 holes, as the 25-year-old has done, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
It's safe to say Zalatoris was not a favorite heading into this week's tournament. But it's not about who was playing his best golf heading into this week. It's about who's playing his best golf heading into the weekend. And Zalatoris has looked unstoppable, which puts him in prime position heading into Moving Day.
Prediction: Zalatoris wins the Wanamaker Trophy.
PGA Championship 2022: Leaderboard Scores, Highlights and Cut Line from Friday
May 21, 2022
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MAY 20: Will Zalatoris of the United States reacts to his birdie putt on the 13th green during the second round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 20, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Will Zalatoris leads the PGA Championship field at nine under after shooting a five-under 65 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday.
Justin Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, is in third after posting a three-under 67 on back-to-back days. Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson authored the round of the day with a seven-under 63 to sit solo fourth at five under.
Rory McIlroy, the first-round leader, is among those tied at four under in fifth place.
Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods flirted with the cut line of five over or worse after beginning the day at four over, but he finished with a one-under 69 to move onto the weekend.
Other big names weren't as lucky. Masters champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is out after shooting six over, and the same goes for two-time major winner Dustin Johnson.
Here's a look at the top 10 and ties after two rounds alongside a look at some notable names who made or missed the cut. You can also check out some notes and highlights of Friday's action below.
PGA Championship Scoreboard: Top 10 and Ties
1. Will Zalatoris (-9)
2. Mito Pereira (-8)
3. Justin Thomas (-6)
4. Bubba Watson (-5)
T5. Rory McIlroy (-4)
T5. Davis Riley (-4)
T5. Abraham Ancer (-4)
T8. Matt Fitzpatrick (-3)
T8. Stewart Cink (-3)
T10. Cameron Smith (-2)
T10. Matt Kuchar (-2)
T10. Tyrrell Hatton (-2)
T10. Chris Kirk (-2)
T10. Gary Woodland (-2)
T10. Cameron Young (-2)
T10. Sam Burns (-2)
Other Notables: Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry (+2); Tiger Woods and Jason Day (+3); Hideki Matsuyama (+4) and Collin Morikawa (+4)
Notable Cuts: Henrik Stenson (+5); Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson (+6); Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott (+7); John Daly (+8); Patrick Cantlay (+11); Daniel Berger (+13)
Notes and Highlights
A run of three straight birdies from the 11th through 13th holes vaulted Zalatoris to eight under. He made a five-footer for birdie on No. 11 before adding a pair of seven-foot birdie putts on Nos. 12 and 13.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 20, 2022
Zalatoris took the lead thanks largely in part to this approach from 129 yards out in the rough. He knocked it within eight feet and birdied from there for the lead at nine under.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 20, 2022
JT birdied both par-five holes on the par-70 course and added birdies on the ninth and 10th. His only bogey came on the tough par-three 14th after his tee shot landed in the bunker. Other than that, Thomas enjoyed a great day.
Watson's wizardry was on display yet again with his tremendous approach shots putting him in position for birdies all day:
As for Woods, he began the day one stroke better from where he started in part because of this sensational approach on the par-five fifth and an eight-foot birdie putt on No. 13.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 20, 2022
Woods, who made his return to professional golf at the Masters after suffering severe leg injuries in a February 2021 car accident, has now made the weekend at both majors this year.
ESPN+ will carry coverage of the third round from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET. ESPN will then pick things up until 1 p.m. before CBS carries the rest of the tournament.
Tiger Woods on Making Cut at PGA Championship: Mission Is to Win This Thing Somehow
May 20, 2022
TULSA, OK - MAY 20: Tiger Woods eyes a put during the PGA Championship on May 20, 2022, at the Southern Hills C.C. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tiger Woods made the cut Friday at the PGA Championship, though he kept it close, shooting a one-under 69 to move to three over for the tournament.
Woods was clearly battling through pain through the entirety of the round, but he still has a goal in mind.
"There's a mission," he told ESPN's Michael Eaves after the second round (h/t Jason Sobel of the Action Network). "The mission is to go ahead and win this thing somehow."
Woods also told Eaves he couldn't load up on his right leg, similar to Thursday when the star golfer began to noticeably limp about halfway through the round.
"There's a lot of things [I can't do]," he said. "That's just the way it is. Luckily over the course of my career, I've used my hands quite well and gotta rely on feel and hit shots. When you're out there, you know, it's about hitting the ball the right number and getting it done. It wasn't exactly the way I wanted it to be, it wasn't pretty."
It was similar to what he said after the first round.
"I just can't load it," he told reporters. "Loading hurts, pressing off it hurts, walking hurts and twisting hurts. It's just golf. I don't play that, if I don't do that, then I'm all right."
Unlike Thursday, however—when Woods shot a four-over 74 and had five bogeys and just one birdie on the back nine—the veteran golfer fought through the pain to shoot under par Friday.
Even Rory McIlroy was impressed by his resolve:
Rory said, if he were Tiger, he would have thought about WD’ing after the agonizing 74. But Tiger didn’t. “He’s proven he’s different,” Rory said. Called another made cut in a major “unbelievable” and a “monumental effort.”
The will and determination from @TigerWoods in competition is something out of this world. Competing at the highest level and surviving to make the cut on one leg is astonishing. #PGAChampionship
As for Woods winning in Tulsa, well, that's a long shot. He would have to make up a double-digit stroke deficit to catch current leader Will Zalatoris, which seems unlikely given Woods' physical limitations.
But the fight is still there. That's plenty impressive enough.
Tiger Woods' Toughness Praised by Fans After Making Cut at 2022 PGA Championship
May 20, 2022
TULSA, OK - MAY 20: Tiger Woods hits his shot from the tenth tee during the second round of the 2022 PGA Championship at the Southern Hills on May 20, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)
Tiger Woods isn't going to win the PGA Championship. On Friday, he flirted with missing the cut, shooting a one-under 69 to move to three-over for the tournament. He clearly was battling through pain the entire day, trying to will himself over the cut line.
But he fought like hell, and golf fans and pundits alike absolutely adored him for it:
I shouldn't be as surprised, but Tiger is fighting *like hell* for no reason other than that's all he knows how to do. He has nothing to prove. Nothing to really gain by squeaking by the cut. In significant pain. But his pride won't let him mail it in. One of a kind person.
Second tournament in almost two years, limping, outside the cutline and desperately needing a birdie and @TigerWoods is slinging a big draw with a wedge into a pin. ❤️
Really impressive that a guy with 15 major championships who still maintains that his only reason for competing is to win will grind out a Friday afternoon cut line while playing in pain.
Watching Tiger absolutely rip people apart in his prime was great fun and terrific entertainment. Watching him proudly grind his way to a made cut at a major he has no chance of winning on nothing but stingers and resolve is a far more emotionally inspiring performance.
He was also in noticable pain Thursday, when he shot four-over and could be seen limping at points on the course.
"I just can't load it," he told reporters after that round regarding his surgically-repaired and still-recovering right leg. "Loading hurts, pressing off it hurts, walking hurts and twisting hurts. It's just golf. I don't play that, if I don't do that, then I'm all right."
That right leg, injured in a car crash in Feb. 2021, kept him out of competitive play until this year's Masters, where he finished 47th and struggled through the weekend. At those Masters, simply playing was a triumph, and there was no guarantee he would participate in this year's PGA Championship in Tulsa.
But he chose to play, and on Friday he chose to fight.
And that's the main takeaway from Friday—that even in a tournament where he isn't in contention, the fight and grit he displayed nonetheless made him one of the central figures of the event.
The golf world, as always, orbits around Tiger.
Tiger Woods' Banged-Up 1st Round Puts Him in Trouble at 2022 PGA Championship
May 19, 2022
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MAY 19: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts to his shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 19, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images )
Tiger Woods had a rough showing in the first round of the PGA Championship on Thursday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, finishing with a four-over 74 and toward the bottom of the leaderboard.
Woods, who began on the back nine, got off to a hot start, carding two birdies through the first five holes. However, his day fell apart from there as he carded seven bogeys and just one more birdie to close out the first round.
On the 18th tee, Woods came up limping after hitting a tee shot, which is a big concern for the 46-year-old, who suffered significant leg injuries in a February 2021 car crash.
Speaking with reporters after finishing up the first day of action, Woods said his leg "is not feeling as good as I'd like it to be."
"I just can't load it. Loading hurts. Pressing off it hurts. Walking hurts. Twisting hurts," Woods added. "It's just golf. If I don't do that, I'll be OK."
This marks another disappointing performance from Woods, who finished the Masters at Augusta National in 47th, finishing 13-over par. He's in danger of missing the cut at Southern Hills.
Woods' performance drew mixed reaction on social media. While many were happy to see him back out on the course, they still mentioned his poor performance.
I think I'm more wowed by Tiger Woods than I ever have been. As I said during the Masters, this is just next level stuff. Extraordinary competitor. He shouldn't even be near playing a major again really.
Woods definitely isn't at 100 percent yet, and it's unclear if he ever will be following the crash. After the Masters, he told reporters he would never play a full schedule again and would only compete in major events.
Woods will look to bounce back with a solid showing on Day 2 of the PGA Championship, but considering that his leg has been bothering him, it's unclear if he can compete at a high level.
Tiger Woods: My Leg's 'Not Feeling as Good' as I'd Like at 2022 PGA Championship
May 19, 2022
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MAY 19: Tiger Woods of the United States walks from the eighth hole during the first round of the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club on May 19, 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods didn't look like his prime self while shooting a four-over 74 in Thursday's opening round of the 2022 PGA Championship.
He said afterward his leg is feeling far from 100 percent in his second official PGA Tour event since he suffered serious leg injuries in a February 2021 car crash.
"My leg is not feeling as good as I would like it to be," he told reporters. "We'll start the recovery process and get after it tomorrow."
He detailed how it is impacting his swing: "I just can't load it. Loading hurts. Pressing off it hurts. Walking hurts. Twisting hurts."
It's remarkable that Woods is even walking the course and competing at golf's highest level at 46 years old and after suffering such serious injuries that amputation was under consideration.
Still, Thursday's performance did not hold up when compared to his opening round in April's Masters.
He put on a show on the way to a one-under 71 in the first round of the year's opening major, which helped him make the cut. While he faded as the weekend continued and ended up at 13 over and in 47th place, it was a testament to his greatness that he was playing Sunday.
Woods may not be playing Sunday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, if his first round and the pain he is feeling are indicators for his chances to make the cut.
Consistency on his approach was an issue as well.
Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated noted the legend found just seven of 18 greens in regulation even though he hit 10 fairways.
Woods was part of a star-studded pairing with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.
McIlroy won this event in 2012 and 2014 and could be on his way to a third PGA Championship title after shooting a five-under 65. Spieth was two over after the opening round but is in better position than Woods to make a run at the cut line (top 70 and ties) in Friday's second round.
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