Tiger Mania II? In Two Years, the U.S. Senior Open Could Be Must-See TV as Tiger Chases History
Tiger Mania II? The U.S. Senior Open Could Become a Spectacle in Two Years as Tiger Chases History
The U.S. Senior Open is unfolding at the spectacular Newport Country Club in Rhode Island this week. However, in two years, this prestigious event will gain an entirely new dimension when it moves to the historic Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Scioto Country Club, the birthplace of Jack Nicklaus’s legendary career, will be the stage where Tiger Woods becomes eligible to compete in the U.S. Senior Open for the first time. Woods has strongly hinted at his desire to win this title and break his tie with Bobby Jones for the most USGA national championships at nine. A victory at Scioto would make Woods the first player to achieve a unique Grand Slam: the U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Junior (3), U.S. Amateur (3), and U.S. Open (3).
“He’d love to win that Grand Slam and add some of the other senior majors to his CV,” said Padraig Harrington. “I saw him at the course during the PNC Championship, and he laughed at me. He hinted he couldn’t wait to get out and beat me.”
Tiger Mania II could be ready to strike the PGA Tour Champions, and PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady is eager for it. Two years ago, at the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, Brady was discussing the senior tour’s age restriction with Steve Stricker. Stricker suggested revisiting the age limit of 50, a staple since the tour’s inception in 1980.
“I said, ‘No, we just did this,’” Brady recalled from a 2021 study. Stricker countered, “Unless Tiger tells me he’d play right now. If that’s the case, I’ll lower the age tomorrow.”
Stricker promptly texted Woods, asking if he’d play if the age limit were lowered. Tiger’s response was clear: “No, I’m not ready. I want to follow in the same footsteps as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bernhard Langer.”
Tiger wants to join the Champions tour on equal footing, becoming eligible on December 30, 2025. His focus will be on chasing records, including Langer’s 12 majors and 46 career titles, Nicklaus’s eight majors, and Phil Mickelson’s early senior tour success.
“That’s him, right?” Stricker said. “Tiger’s going to try to erase those records. It gives him something to focus on and try to achieve. If that’s the case, maybe we’ll see him more.”
The future of PGA Tour Champions likely hinges on Tiger’s participation post-50. Once unfathomable, the idea of Tiger playing the senior tour now seems plausible. Asked at the 2021 Hero World Challenge about his upcoming 46th birthday, he quipped, “Four more years until I get a cart.”
The Champions tour allows players to use golf carts, except in major events, making it a significant consideration for Woods, especially after his 2022 car accident and subsequent surgeries. At the 2023 Masters, Woods declined to use a cart under ADA provisions, preferring to wait until he’s eligible for the Champions tour’s “little buggy.”
In 2006, the Champions Tour Division Board allowed golf carts in most events, excluding majors and certain others. Walking 72 holes has been Woods’s biggest challenge, but on the senior tour, he could become dominant again. “He’ll absolutely kill everybody,” Nicklaus said in an interview with Golf Channel.
Geoff Ogilvy, nearing Champions tour eligibility, expects Tiger’s participation to spark a resurgence. “Taking a cart changes everything for him. Interest from fans and sponsors will skyrocket. Champions Tour ratings could surpass the PGA Tour when he plays.”
Woods could explore other ventures like golf course architecture or greater involvement in PGA Tour management. However, his presence on the Champions tour could replicate the 1990s excitement when legends like Nicklaus, Trevino, Palmer, and Player made it the biggest game in town.
Brady witnessed a glimpse of Tigermania II in 2021 when Mickelson’s win at Furyk & Friends outshone the PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Hospital Open. “Will our ratings go up? Absolutely,” Brady said. “Tiger’s early commitment could even bring events to network TV.”
Much can happen in the next 18 months, but Brady’s team is preparing for all scenarios. “We’ve started brainstorming the craziest possibilities,” Brady said. “We’ve had conversations with tournaments about the potential impact of Tiger’s participation.”
Stricker suggested amending the cart policy for majors to accommodate Woods. “Let’s make sure he can play. If it means allowing a cart, let’s do it.”
The addition of recent stars like Els, Furyk, Harrington, and Goosen has boosted the senior tour, but TigerMania II could elevate it to new heights. “I just want Tiger to come out and play a bit,” Brady said. “Ideally, he debuts at the Mitsubishi Electric in January 2026, maybe paired with Fred Couples.”
Furyk, also an event organizer, understands the preparation needed for Tiger’s participation. “If we gauge his intentions early, it would help us prepare.”
Brady echoed this sentiment. “If he commits last minute, tournaments won’t be prepared for the influx of ticket sales, security, transportation, and concessions.”
Brady has already discussed with Tiger’s agent, Mark Steinberg, about the Champions tour’s workings, including its cart policy. “I don’t see Tiger ever wanting to file for ADA otherwise he would have done that already.”
Stricker believes the tour should accommodate Tiger, even for majors. “We should do everything we can to get him out here.”
With stars like Els, Furyk, Harrington, and Goosen already boosting the senior tour, TigerMania II could make it the talk of the golf world once again. “In an ideal situation, Tiger turns 50 and the Mitsubishi Electric is his first start. Maybe you pair him with Fred Couples and they have a great time,” Brady said.
Furyk, reflecting on the excitement of Tiger’s pro debut in 1996, said, “If we can get ahead of that and gauge his intentions, it would help our tour massively.”
Tiger Mania II could transform the senior tour, with Tiger Woods poised to dominate and bring unprecedented attention and excitement to the PGA Tour Champions.
