Sign up every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in sports and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Tiger Woods’ chances to play in the Masters, Jon Rahm’s curious decision and the best from the West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods was in place and even in the TV booth as host of this week’s Genesis Invitational. Tiger talked about a variety of topics and somewhat surprisingly said that he has there’s still a chance he’ll play the 2026 Masters. Woods, 50, has not played since the 2024 Open as he recovers from various injuries. But do you buy this? What’s the real chance you think he plays Augusta National? Do you have a percentage chance that you will set it?
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): The last odds I saw from people who make a living placing them were 2 to 1. That seems reasonable. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him try to do it. But I’d be a little surprised to see him make the cut and walk the rounds.
James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Judging by his behavior at Riviera, I’d put him at a 61.25 percent chance to play. I’m not sure he’ll be entertained (gulp). Tournament of Champions as a legitimate competitive option, unless he thought it meant he might be able to USE the Tournament of Champions to start elsewhere. Like, for example, at Augusta National.
Josh Schrock, news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I buy that Tiger believes there’s a chance he can play, and he’ll try to push it to be able to leave Augusta. I would still put it at around 40%. He said he was hitting full shots, but then put the brakes on it when Nantz said he could hit the kind of Jacob Bridgeman 7-wood he hit on the 11th Saturday. He is a maniacal competitor and wants to play. But the body has to be able to go where the mind wants, and it’s unclear where his body is in the rehabilitation process.
Speaking of those other topics that Tiger touched on, what did he say over the past week that was of most interest to you?
Meaning: I wasn’t exactly shocked to hear it, but I will say I raised my eyebrows when he said he hadn’t decided on the Ryder Cup captaincy. Deep down, you and I know he will be the captain. And I think he knows that too. Also: he likes the idea of ​​riding a cart in the tournament of champions. Could you have ever imagined a young Tiger saying that?
Colgan: I was shocked to hear Tiger admit that the Tour is considering moving at least one of the two major early-season PGA Tour events (Pebble Beach and Riviera) to August to accommodate the new schedule. This change would certainly fix the California rain problem the Tour currently finds in February, but I wonder if it would help make the Playoffs FEEL even bigger. I know that each of those events feels bigger now just by the representatives of their golf courses. I’m in favor.
Schrock: I agree with James, but I also really liked Tiger getting a little more introspective now that he’s 50. He talked about being alone in his job at FCC because he wants part of his legacy to be creating a Tour that allows future Tigers to thrive. A pleasure to see him peel back a layer and masterfully handle competitive mortality.
On Sunday at the Riviera, Woods saw Jacob Bridgeman take a six-shot lead on Sunday and beat Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama by one to win for the first time on the PGA Tour. Bridgeman, 26, didn’t necessarily come out of nowhere — he was top 20 in all four of his previous starts this season — but what is it about his game that has impressed you the most this season? Has he shown you enough to convince you that this is not a coincidence?
Meaning: One case is when I compress an iron shot. Bridgeman is no accident. A strong college career at a top golf program (Clemson). A bunch of top 5’s from last year. In the second-to-last group last week at Pebble. There aren’t many Tigers career arcs out there. This is how the most talented young players progress to their first victory. He was impressive across the board this week. I didn’t find a green bunker until the 16th on Sunday. Dropping and approaches with dead eyes. But I was particularly struck by his behavior in the ninth house. McIlroy leaving for birdie on the 12th might have shocked someone less composed. Bridgeman just went about his business.
Colgan: I’ll admit that, around the time it took him roughly 43 hours to play the final hole from the ocean at Pebble Beach last week, I may have allowed myself to believe a few things about Jacob Bridgeman’s credibility as a PGA Tour contender. I may have even suggested that he play the last hole in the nude as penance for his poor pace. His win this week erased those feelings and replaced them with the sense that he could be the next JJ Spaun of the tournament — a guy who felt like he came out of nowhere when he started winning … but maybe we should have seen it coming all along.
Schrock: I think his composure on Sunday, especially when that seven-shot lead started to dwindle, was incredibly impressive. I thought when Rory put that bunker on 12 that things could start moving quickly and he could be picked off. But he was impressively cool under pressure. Lest we forget, he made the Tour Championship last year and had to play well alongside Rory at BMW to punch his ticket to East Lake. He’s been playing good golf for a while now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts to become more of a leadership game.
Eight members of the DP World Tour were granted conditional releases to play LIV Golf events this year, even though Jon Rahm didn’t apply. What does that mean, big picture?
Meaning: An upcoming LIV-DP merger. DP World Tour needs money. The Saudis have it. LIV needs more competitive juices. The DP World Tour can help with that.
Colgan: I am really confused by this decision. Barring the idea of ​​joining Josh, Rahm seems to be betting that he’s important enough to earn a major Ryder Cup exemption. The reality is he is, especially if you ask his RC teammates. But it’s one thing to rally the support of Luke Donald… and another thing entirely to stand against a major tournament and claim special status. He knows the landscape better than I do and certainly wants to be in Ireland in ’27. But I would love to hear his explanation!
Schrock: Honestly, it’s a fascinating game from Rahm. His friend and team-mate Tyrrell Hatton, who was on trial with him, paid the fine and bowed out. So now Rahm, who was paid millions to join LIV, I’ll bet they make a rule that allows him to be on the Ryder Cup team without being a member of the DP World Tour, rather than just compromise and pay the fines. It feels like it’s a decision that could cost Rahm things money can’t buy. I feel like the DP World Tour offered a reasonable olive branch and I don’t see how that works in Rahm’s favor outside of a merger. Is he important enough to the team to warrant a special exemption? of course. But you already have Rory McIlroy, the leader of that team, saying he has to pay the fine. Hatton, who was staying with him, paid the fines. I’m also fascinated to hear his explanation and see where this goes.
Goodbye, West Coast Swing, and hello, Florida. What did you learn over the past two months on the PGA Tour?
Meaning: That the only way Scottie Scheffler doesn’t win most starts is if he gives the field a head start in the first round. It’s been a strange few weeks, watching him struggle out of the gate.
Colgan: Scottie is still the best around … but the first round hiccup is weird. Xander Schauffele is trending again – that’s fun! AND Welcome, Collin Morikawa! Golf is more fun with him in conversation.
Schrock: I am enjoying Scottie points the boys out a round little this is happening. It’s a nice wrinkle and further illustrates the gap between him and everyone else. Despite not winning, I think Rory’s game is in a really good place as we head into Florida and the Masters. He made a ton of birdies at Pebble, but hit a few on the ocean. There was no Ocean on the Riviera, so the big numbers left. Xander is on trend, and Jordan Spieth believes he’s tapped into his putting magic again, which could flow to the rest of his game, or so his theory goes. The PGA Tour is in a good place with API and players on deck.
;)
