PGA

Tiger Woods spoke with reporters Wednesday prior to the start of the Genesis Invitational and provided rehab updates on injuries he suffered following a car accident last February.

He said he has a "long way to go" before he can compete again.

Tiger very clear that he isn't progressing as quickly as he'd like. Not at age 46. That part has been frustrating.

"I have a long way to go,” he says.

The Masters is 7 weeks away.

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 16, 2022

Woods also noted that walking on the golf course is still a challenge right now.

“I can walk on a treadmill all day. It’s straight, that’s easy. But walking on a golf course where there’s undulations, I have a long way to go. … Being in a cart, I can do that. But walking a golf course, that’s a totally different deal. I’ve got a long way to go.”

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) February 16, 2022

Woods' golfing activity has also been limited:

Tiger says his recent golf activity has been “very limited.” Lotta chipping and putting, short irons. But he hasn’t worked “seriously” on his longer clubs.

“I’m still working on the walking part.”

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 16, 2022

He's also not sure when he will return:

Tiger on his recovery: "I wish I could tell you when I'll play again, but I don't...I haven't done any of the long stuff seriously. I'm still working on the walking part.

"My foot was a little messed up there a year ago, so the walking part...it still takes time."

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) February 16, 2022

Woods' days working a full-time schedule are over, but he said he will pick and choose events when he's back.

Tiger was asked his future on Tour: “Will I come back, yes. Will I come back and play a full schedule, no … Pick and choose my events," he said.

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) February 16, 2022

The 15-time major winner is serving as the host for the Genesis Invitational, which is taking place at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, beginning Thursday. The tournament benefits his charity, the TGR Foundation.

Matt Bonesteel of the Washington Post summarized Woods' injuries last May:

Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, which means both bones broke into at least three pieces and broke through the skin. He also suffered foot and ankle injuries and is rehabbing at his home in Florida after flying there from California in March.

Woods did play in the PNC Championship last December with his son, Charlie, marking his first time playing in a golf event since last February.

Twenty major champions paired with a member of their family for a two-round tournament. In the end, Team Woods took second.

Given Woods' comments Wednesday, he seems unlikely to make his return at the Masters, where he earned a remarkable come-from-behind victory in 2019. The Masters will start at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 7.

However, Woods at least appears to be making progress as he continues a long and arduous rehab process.

Rory McIlroy reiterated his lack of interest in leaving the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed Super League in an interview with Dan Rapaport of Golf Digest.

"Look, I’ve lived it—for the top guys, all that money really isn’t going to change their life," McIlroy said.

"I’m in a way better financial position than I was a decade ago and my life is no different. I still use the same three, four rooms in my house. I just don’t see the value in tarnishing a reputation for extra millions."

As Rapaport wrote, this isn't the first time McIlroy has spoken out against the league. He began doing so in 2020 and kept that stance ever since.

News about the league has come to the forefront after PGA Tour golfer Kramer Hickok said on The Stripe Show podcast that 17 players were already signed to the new league and that events would begin this summer.

McIlroy isn't the only high-profile golfer who publicly stated that he's sticking around. Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa told reporters that he's "all for the PGA Tour."

However, other golfers could be on the move to the Super Golf League, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach:

A handful of high-profile PGA Tour players, including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, have reportedly been mulling over offers from the potential new golf circuit being fronted by Greg Norman.

Other players from the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) have also been approached. England's Lee Westwood told reporters at the Saudi International earlier this month that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement with organizers of the new league.

As Hickok noted (h/t Schlabach), the proposed league would plan to have 12-14 events with "huge purses." It would also have 40-man fields and no cuts.

As Rapoport reported, though, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has previously stated that any golfer who jumps ship to this league would be suspended and likely expelled from the PGA Tour.

Speaking of which, the PGA Tour is heading to Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, this week for the Genesis Invitational.

Collin Morikawa isn't going anywhere.

The two-time major champion acknowledged weighing the opportunity to join the Super Golf League but confirmed Tuesday he plans on continuing to compete in the PGA Tour, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach:

I'm all for the PGA Tour. I've been a pro for two and a half years. My entire life I've thought about the PGA Tour. I've thought about playing against Tiger [Woods], beating his records, whatever, something that might not even be breakable. But I've never had another thought of what's out there, right? I've never thought about anything else, it's always been the PGA Tour.

Backed by Saudi Arabia, the Super Golf League is attempting to assert itself as a viable alternative to the PGA Tour. For the top names in the sport, the offer is likely to be tempting given the potential riches to be had.

The Daily Mail's Derek Lawrenson reported Bryson DeChambeau was offered £100 million to compete and serve as one of the faces of the new tour. DeChambeau refuted that report and also denied rumors about him skipping upcoming PGA Tour events.

There are many false reports going around by the media that are completely inaccurate. Any news regarding my health or playing schedule will come directly from me and my team only. This is just another inaccurate report. I look forward to getting healthy and seeing everyone soon! pic.twitter.com/VCtMaMd0Of

— Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondech) February 14, 2022

For Morikawa, leaving the PGA Tour is a nonstarter.

"Right now, you look at the best players that I see and they're all sticking with the PGA Tour and that's where I kind of stay and that's where I belong," he said. "I'm very happy to be here."

The 25-year-old is off to a strong start in the 2022 season, registering three top-10 finishes in his first three events. He sits second behind Jon Rahm in the World Golf Ranking.

Scottie Scheffler won the 2022 Phoenix Open with a third-hole playoff win over Patrick Cantlay at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course on Sunday. Both players shot for par on the first two holes of the playoff at the 18th green before Scheffler won with a birdie on the same hole.

Scheffler had a tremendous run on the back nine with five birdies and a bogey to tie Cantlay at 16-under 67 to reach the playoff. It is his first tour title. 

Super Sunday for Scottie Scheffler. 🏆

The 25-year-old wins his first TOUR title @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/e8cckyGnvf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

For. The. WIN. #TakeDeadAim

SCOTTIE. SCHEFFLER. 🤘

pic.twitter.com/ICmxh2lylx

— Texas Men's Golf (@TexasMGolf) February 14, 2022

Scottie takes it in Scottsdale! 🗣 pic.twitter.com/fhkEjrb13N

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 14, 2022

Scheffler entered the final round after shooting a nine-under 62 in round three to get to 12-under for the tournament. He was just two strokes off the lead heading into Sunday's finale. 

Scheffler 🤜🤛 Cantlay

Playoff time @WMPhoenixOpen.

They’ll play the 18th hole until a winner is determined. pic.twitter.com/M6xrygaC5S

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

The playoff continues.

Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay return to 18. pic.twitter.com/qwOmOYtMIF

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

Bonus golf.

Scottie Scheffler's birdie bid slides by. pic.twitter.com/xRkQU65lNb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

4 birdies in the last 5 holes. 💪

Charging Scottie Scheffler has a share of the lead. pic.twitter.com/VZ5Y5JCfYf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

Scheffler's performance on the front nine in Sunday's final round included three birdies and three bogeys. After nine holes, he was even and didn't start to make a run until the 13th hole, when he scored a birdie to finish one-under par entering the 14th green.

The 25-year-old scored a birdie on the 14th and 15th holes to go three under par entering the 16th. He shot for par on the 16th green before scoring another birdie on the 17th and finishing four-under par through 18 holes.

As for Cantlay, he scored three birdies on the front nine to enter the 10th hole three-under par. His performance on the back nine wasn't nearly as impressive as he scored just one birdie, which came on the 15th hole. However, his performance was enough to give him a share of the lead. 

Xander Schauffele, Sahith Theegala and Brooks Koepka finished tied for third place at 15-under. 

Scheffler turned pro in 2018 after a collegiate career at the University of Texas. Before Sunday, he had two second-place finishes on the PGA Tour and finished in the top 10 17 times. 

The PGA Tour heads to California next week for The Genesis Invitational. 

Sam Ryder was the latest recipient of a massive celebration after hitting a hole-in-one in front of the crowd surrounding the 16th hole at the Phoenix Open on Saturday.

On the 124-yard par-three, Ryder hit the ball to the left of the hole, and it rolled in for what was the best shot of the day. The people in attendance gave the 32-year-old a nice beer shower as they tossed their cans on the green.

SAM RYDER! ACE ON 16!

WHAT A MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/bY3oSFM4nx

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 12, 2022

There were so many cans thrown on the green that it took tournament officials a few minutes to clean them up before Brian Harman could take his shot.

pic.twitter.com/zhUk8mCQIm

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) February 12, 2022

Ryder's hole-in-one on the 16th hole at the Phoenix Open was the first since Francesco Molinari accomplished the feat in 2015. It is also the 10th ace on the 16th hole in tournament history.

Brooks Koepka, who hasn't won a tournament since last season at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, has dropped to 20th in the Golf World Rankings. 

And he isn't thrilled. 

"That's embarrassing to be 20th, I feel like," he told reporters Thursday. "A lot of it has to do with injury, man. I've been hurt, on the sidelines. Not playing, playing through injury, you can't compete with guys out here. It's nice to be somewhat healthy and get out here and I mean I'm not too worried about it, it will bounce back up."

It's been a long slide for Koepka, who was No. 1 in the rankings in February 2020 but has missed the cut in three of his last seven tournaments. A number of injuries, including knee, neck and hip issues, contributed to that run of poor form. 

"You're never 100 percent," he said. "No athlete's ever 100 percent. But, like I said, if you're not healthy, man, it's not easy. But, at the same time, I mean there's nobody out here that's shooting to be No. 2 in the world. So, if you are, you're probably playing the wrong—shouldn't be playing. So, 19 spots to go."

Phil Mickelson doesn't think a threat to the PGA Tour's supremacy in the sport is necessarily a bad thing.

The golf legend said he and his peers stand to benefit from Saudi Arabia's planned series, which is forcing the tour to keep up.

"I think everybody is looking at it and seeing parts of it that can really help and benefit their situation, their life, their career, and then there's parts of it that they're probably concerned with," Mickelson told reporters. "I'm appreciative of the fact that there is competition, and that leverage has allowed for a much better environment on the PGA Tour."

Last April, the PGA Tour rolled out its new Player Impact Program, which will see the sport's top stars paid from a pool of money in addition to whatever they earn from their results on the course.

The step was widely viewed as a way to keep a competing golf tour at bay.

In November, the PGA Tour also increased the FedEx Cup bonus pool from $60 million to $75 million.

Considering the sums of money the Saudi-backed series seems to be willing to throw around, though, the PGA Tour could face a difficult challenge. The Telegraph's James Corrigan reported Ian Poulter was offered £22 million to join, so it's easy to envision what might be on the table for a bigger name such as Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson or Jon Rahm.

Mickelson declined to confirm whether representatives from the splinter tour have reached out to him but did say, "I think every player has been contacted."

Considering what the PGA Tour has done already in response to the mere threat of competition, imagine what it might do if a handful of stars actually defect.

John Daly saw enough from Tiger Woods during last weekend's 2021 PNC Championship to believe Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships is still in danger.

Daly won the tournament with his son, John II, but it was the Woods tandem of Tiger and his son, Charlie, who stole the spotlight for the second straight year.

Charlie, 12, delivered a series of highlight-reel shots, and Tiger, playing for the first time since a February car crash, looked well on his way toward another PGA Tour comeback. His biggest issue will likely be regaining the leg strength to walk 18 holes (he used a cart in the family event).

Daly, a two-time major champion, explained on Fox News' Fox & Friends (h/t Riley Hamel of Golfweek) that fatigue was a factor for Woods, but he still saw the legendary competitive fire.

"I think Tiger's gonna be fine," Daly said. "He looked good. He looked a little tired, but he still looked great. He'll be back, and I could see it in his eyes. He's probably gonna beat Jack Nicklaus' records and be the greatest of all time."

Woods has won 15 major titles, the most recent coming in the 2019 Masters to cap a remarkable comeback story. That leaves him three behind Nicklaus for the all-time mark.

The 45-year-old fan favorite has consistently played down expectations, saying he's nowhere near ready to compete at golf's biggest events despite playing well in the PNC Championship.

"I'm not at that level," Woods told reporters Sunday. "I can't compete against these guys right now, no. It's going to take a lot of work to get to where I can feel I can compete with these guys and be at a high level.''

He added any future involvement will be limited, coming well short of the 20ish yearly starts he used to make during his peak seasons.

"I like competing,'' Woods said. "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."

In all likelihood, that probably means the 82-time winner on the PGA Tour will likely try to tee it up at the four majors and a select few other tournaments throughout the year. Playing with Charlie in the PNC Championship each December will likely be one of those stops.

Winning three more majors to tie Nicklaus' record, and a fourth to stand alone atop the all-time list, seems like an uphill battle given Woods' age, injury history and the in-their-physical-prime opponents he must face in the major fields.

Daly isn't betting against him, though.

Tiger Woods had not played in a tournament after a car accident in February until this weekend's PNC Championship with his son Charlie, and the duo put on quite the show, finishing in second place at 25 under.

After the tournament, Woods spoke about being back on the links and what it meant to play with his son:

The competitive juices, they are never going to go away. This is my environment. This is what I've done my entire life. 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.

And the Woods duo played very, very well:

Tiger and Charlie Woods get 2nd in the PNC Championship 👏

They had 11 birdies in a row, the longest birdie streak in tournament history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/be1YbMs6WZ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2021

This was just fantastic from Tiger’s son… a star the making pic.twitter.com/5xkOcpo0sF

— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) December 20, 2021

While Woods was assured by doctors that participating in the tournament wouldn't put him at risk of further injuring his leg, pain management was still an issue going into the weekend. That pain is what will keep Woods from returning to PGA Tour play in the short term.

"I'm not at that level. I can't compete again these guys right now, no," Woods said Sunday. "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."

That means more physical rehabilitation and weight-room work until Woods can return. But when he is back to the level he feels comfortable at, don't expect him to play every event on the calendar. 

"I'm not going to play a full schedule ever again," he said. "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 for the PNC Championship, John Daly and his son John Daly II—currently a freshman on the Arkansas golf team—won the event, finishing two strokes ahead of Tiger and Charlie. 

Performance @PGA_JohnDaly and John Daly II won't soon forget!

Best from their Sunday 57. pic.twitter.com/ryH3AFUyy7

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 20, 2021

Hey Little John,

I ❤️ you.

Love,
Dad (@PGA_JohnDaly)pic.twitter.com/O7BqN2f3Zv

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 19, 2021

A memory to last a lifetime for @PGA_JohnDaly. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LbyvJ4KcmT

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 19, 2021

"Yesterday, it was all him. I putted so bad," the senior Daly told reporters after the win. "I finally hit some decent shots. He played unbelievable. I played a little better today. I made him happy."

A breathtaking performance by Tiger and Charlie Woods was the dominant story of the second round at the 2021 PNC Championship.

The father-son duo followed up their 62 in the first round with a 57 on Sunday. They finished the tournament with a 36-hole score of 25-under par, two shots behind John Daly and John Daly II (-27) for the top spot.

Tiger and Charlie posted 13 birdies, including a tournament-record 11 in a row from holes No. 7 through No. 17, and one eagle to finish 15 under par in the second round.

The longest birdie streak in tournament history.

A magical run for Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/Xy7lRdbYbL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Even before they teed off, Tiger and Charlie came onto the course wearing the traditional Sunday red.

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie bringing back Sunday red ❤️

(via @PGATOUR)pic.twitter.com/LXmQUdJPMB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2021

Coming out of the first round, Tiger was very critical of his effort and offered an honest assessment of where he's at physically.

"It's frustrating when I don't hit the ball as far as I know that I can and the shots that I see don't come off the way I want," Woods told reporters. "By the old numbers, I don't have endurance. I haven't played. This is, what, my fourth, [fifth] round of the entire year. I don't have any golf endurance."

Tiger and Charlie got off to a blistering start Sunday. They were four-under-par through their first three holes, including an eagle on No. 3 that moved them into sole possession of the lead.

Dart from Tiger 🎯
Eagle from Charlie 🦅

The lead belongs to Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/bvpHsTRh6N

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Their momentum would be halted briefly, as they settled for par on each of their next three holes.

Things picked back up for the Woods duo on No. 7 with a birdie that was inches away from being an eagle.

Wedge game. 💯

A near hole-out and big smile from @TigerWoods. pic.twitter.com/jJgXdZcfin

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Charlie showed off his putting skills on No. 8 to sink another birdie for the team, which dropped their score to 16-under overall.

Tiger’s fist pump. Charlie’s early move for his ball marker.

There’s lots to like here 🐅#PNCchampionship #CelebrateFamilypic.twitter.com/5aFTl0eo0W

— PNC Championship (@PNCchampionship) December 19, 2021

Charlie's short game has been on point throughout the tournament. He made a long birdie putt on No. 4 in the first round, so the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree on the golf course.

Another long birdie putt from Charlie on No. 9 gave the team a front-nine score of 29 as they made the turn.

Birdie
Birdie
Birdie

Team Woods makes the turn two back. pic.twitter.com/SUQMy4HAYS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

Not to be outdone by his 12-year-old son, Tiger did most of the heavy lifting on No. 10 with a terrific approach shot that set him up for a birdie putt.

Sunday charge.

Team Woods is showing no signs of slowing down. pic.twitter.com/pDU1Xkv0in

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

The charge continued throughout the back nine, highlighted by the moment on the par-three No. 17 with their 11th straight birdie overall, which briefly moved them into a tie for the lead.

Charlie set the birdie up with a fantastic tee shot that landed a few feet from the hole.

Watching in awe. 😲

11 birdies in a row for Team Woods. pic.twitter.com/iIP9S4UDOZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 19, 2021

I love the #NFL

The best thing on TV is Charlie Woods right now

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 19, 2021

Charlie Woods is a machine. This is magic to watch.

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) December 19, 2021

They still had work to do on No. 18 because the tandem of John Daly and John Daly II wasn't giving the Woods duo any wiggle room.

The Dalys, who were two holes behind Tiger and Charlie, regained the lead with a birdie on No. 16.

A par on No. 18 left the Woods duo waiting to see what the opposition would do. John Daly and John Daly II wound up making a birdie to secure the win.

Tiger couldn't have asked for a better way to make his return to competitive golf. He didn't sound totally sure of himself coming out of the first round, but playing alongside his son, the 45-year-old turned in a performance that will be remembered for a long time.