Tiger Woods Shuts Down Idea Of Using Cart On PGA Tour - "That's Just Not Who I Am."
Speaking after the PNC Championship Pro-Am, Woods dismissed any idea that he would use a cart if he were to return to the PGA Tour.
The 15-time Major champions has been grabbing all the headlines this week at the PNC Championship, with Woods making his first tournament appearance since his horror car crash in February.
And, after a successful Pro-Am with his son Charlie, which saw a number of birdies being rolled in, as well as some classy shots from both players, Woods made his intentions clear regarding possibly using a cart on the PGA Tour.
Speaking to the media following the Pro-Am, the 15-time Major champion was asked the question "Could you envision, as this process goes on, even for a short time, applying for a cart?" Woods' answer certainly didn't tiptoe around the situation, with the American simply stating "No, I absolutely wouldn't."
🎙 @TigerWoods meets with the media following the pro-am @PNCChampionship. https://t.co/FKi2SSlIG5December 17, 2021
Woods, who was using a cart in the Pro-Am, as well as in the event, went on to say "Definitely not for a PGA Tour event. That's just not who I am and if I can't play at that level, I can't play at that level. This is a different event, this is a fun event, you get guys in their 80's who are out here playing."
The tournament, which is made up of 40 players, or 20 teams of fathers, sons, daughters and even grandchildren, sees legends of the game teeing it up in an era when, perhaps, we would rarely see them in action on the course.
Woods acknowledges the use of carts in this event, with the 45-year-old humorously stating "If they didn't have carts, then we couldn't see the likes of Lee Trevino or Gary Player... Actually Gary is different, he'll be doing sprints on some of these holes, then push ups, then a bunch of sit ups on the green!
"But, you wouldn't see a lot of some of the legends that I grew up idolising, watching and who I got to play with early on in my career. They wouldn't get to play in these events because their bodies are too banged up.
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"But the fact is they get to play with their child in this event, and a cart allows them to do that. They are all having a great time and that is what it's all about. It's about the bonding and having the time of our lives."
What we do know is that Woods is still far from tournament play, with the 45-year-old saying himself "The body isn't what it used to be" and that "It'll be a while" before he walks a course.
"I just don't have the endurance to walk this golf course which is pretty flat," he said "My leg is still not quite right yet and it's going to take time. I'm still a long, long way away from playing tournament golf.
"To be able to play tournament golf and recover, practice and train and hit golf balls after a round and do all of the things I need to do to be at a high level... I'm a long way from that."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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