Assuming He's Back, A Look At Tiger's Eligibility Status

Not surprisingly, Tiger's built a nice career of wins, money and corresponding exemptions to play everywhere he wants but the World Golf Championship events.

Bob Harig has put together an interesting ESPN.com look at Tiger's status on the PGA Tour and in majors, including what happens in the U.S. Open after his 2018 exemption. His PGA Tour status is also of note:

Although Woods has not finished among the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings or money earnings since 2013 -- the basic barometer for exempt status -- he should have few worries about playing a full schedule, if he chooses.

For 2018, Woods is exempt based on his 2013 Players Championship victory, which comes with a five-year exemption. Once that expires, his Lifetime Member exemption would kick in, which gives exempt status to a player who has at least 20 PGA Tour victories. Davis Love III and Vijay Singh are using that exemption in 2018

Comments

[P Thomas]

Masters until he's in his 60's
Open until he's in his 60's
US Open Special exemptions, most likely a few....if he needs more than 2 he likely isn't playing any more

HAs to earn his way into WGC events and the FEDEX playoffs

He'll always have a great schedule as long as he wants to play

[John]

I disagree that he'll get "as many as he wants" when it comes to U.S. Open exemptions. If he gets them and plays well, or is otherwise playing well around the time of an Open, yes. But I don't think they'll be automatic. But in Tiger's defense, I don't think he'd ask for them unless he feels he can compete.

[Schlasser]

Always learn something on here. I had no idea that "an exempt player on the PGA Tour cannot play a Web.com event". Makes sense. Just didn't know it.

[Griffin]

Schlasser,

I think a player can't play an opposite event either if you are eligible for the 'higher ranking' WGC event. I think McGirt wanted to play the Mississippi event a couple years ago but he was eligible for the WGC China tournament so no dice for playing in Mississippi. Seems odd but I guess they need rules for these kinds of things.

[DrBunsenHoneydew]

Questions abound: Do any pharmaceutical companies sponsor events? Will the last place check this week cover recent legal fees? Had he been ordered to wear an ankle bracelet would it have a Nike swoosh on the side? What changes in his handful of pills formula did he make to go from driving menace to swinging pain free in only 5 months?

[MFL]

Geoff, I a big fan but enough on Eldrick's return. Your blog is for real golf fans and you don't have to pander to us like the networks. MFL

[Colin MacGillivray]

MFL, this is the week Tiger is back, again (3/4th time?) so it is a valid topic. Such news will make any sports story on Thursday.
My real fear is that we will only see Tiger on TV and playing badly as well.

[V.Lind]

Colin: as far as TV is concerned, there is Tiger and there are other golfers, unindividuated. Your fear is just a statement of what is to come.

[Jupiter]

@John... I have to disagree with you in that I believe that Tiger will take any exemptions and do whatever he has to do to keep himself relevant and the sponsors wiring the $'s to his account. His pride is something of the past.

His mental state and lack of confidence will be real issues for him when he's in competition with the big boys. It's one thing to send a hand selected slow-mo video to the press v/s hitting your drive with a controlled swing after JT or DJ just bombed one 350 down the middle. Should be fun to watch .

[John]

@Jupiter, we'll agree to disagree. I don't think he'll take invites if he's really playing poorly. That's not good for sponsors either.

[Robopz]

Schlasser.... There is a hard and fast prohibition against "playing down" to a regular PGAT or Web event opposite WGC's when the player is eligible for the WGC. But playing down to the Web is allowed, but limited to certain classes of members. Generally PGAT members who are eligible for the specific Web.com event via their PGAT Life Member, Past Champion, Special Temporary or Veterans status can play down to a web event, even if eligible for the PGAT event. (Like Rocco Mediate used)

But the "regular" PGAT member who doesn't have one of those status' mentioned above must get permission to play down if eligible for the PGAT event that week. Players on the weeks PGAT alternate list can always play down to the Web (if eligible for the Web event), even if they subsequently gain access to the PGAT field.

[Jupiter]

@John... you're probably right. I tend to be hard on Tiger. I'm only basing my opinion on how low his handlers have stooped to keep him relevant and in the news along with how low Tiger has stooped as a human being over the past few years.

I assume that Tiger doesn't have Dr Galea and his magic blood-spinning sessions in his back pocket these days and that could be an issue for him if/when his body starts resisting this most recent comeback effort.

[Confused]

hahahah @ "the big boys" ....

Who cares about driving distance? It is like SO not a consideration, right? :)

Anyways, even if TW finishes DFL in every event he ever enters again ... he'll still have less cuts missed than any other current player (even if you combine players together into one). Not much to fear from "the big boys" when you know that no matter how good they're currently playing they are never going to understand/play the game as you can.

Jordan was in total fear of all NBA players too!! :)

[The Ghost of Perry Maxwell]

Does this mean TW won't be asking the USGA for his amateur status back ?

[Smolmania]

I thought Tiger got a two year exemption for each win. Doesn’t he have like 79 wins? He can play all the tour events he wants