Q: What is next for Tiger?
Two of the players on Tiger’s TGL team are retired – Kisner and Tiger do not play. If I were a betting man, that would have been the best bet in the world because they had half a team.
I am not convinced by TGL. I think Tiger would be better stepping away completely for two to three years and then starting again on the seniors’ circuit if he wanted to. Play about eight seniors tournaments a year – the ones he likes. There is even a theory the British Seniors Open might be at St Andrews when Tiger is 50.
I do not know if he will even be playing in the Majors in 2025, but does it even matter anymore? Do I want to see him finishing down the field? No. If he plays in the Majors, I hope he is at least semi-competitive – not like he is now.
The poor lad. Did you see his right leg? He is shattered. He is not in great shape. I do not know what is in his head. If he stepped away to watch his boy grow up and do all the things you do, then came back later, he would be far enough removed to be seen as an elder statesman.
I loved watching Palmer and Nicklaus play the Open when they were past 60 because it was real respect. They stood on the Swilcan Bridge and all that. That should be Tiger.
I am not doing him down. Stewart Cink nearly won the Open, but Stewart Cink was fit. Tiger is not fit. He is broken. Competing with a broken body is very tough. Lots of kids now are watching a broken Tiger, and that is not how he should be remembered. It is all very sad, knowing his record and seeing he is not competitive.
That comeback win in 2019? That was his moment. All Tiger is doing now is damaging his legacy.
Q: What do you think is next for LIV?
I am glad LIV Golf got a TV deal. They deserved it. You cannot have all those top players playing and not be on TV. You have got, taking Scheffler out, the next best players in the world on that tour, like Hatton and Rahm.
The new guy in charge will be interesting. Greg Norman did a lot of good work breaking down doors, but then became a problem. He became obsessed with personal vendettas. If he steps back now, both he and LIV will be better off. The new guy is highly thought of and could do some good, but so much is set in stone now.
Greg likely spun his yarn about the best outcomes, but they were never getting world ranking points. Never. World ranking points are key in golf. Players chase them worldwide because they’re the key to everything. LIV never stood a chance because it’s three rounds, no cut, and no meritocracy. Without a fair system at the bottom, you cannot award points at the top.
What might happen is this: Scott gets in a room, and they thrash out a deal where the top six, eight, or ten LIV players get into the Majors. It is the simplest way to resolve it.
Q: If you were to give advice to Charlie Woods, what would it be?
I don’t really know how good Charlie Woods is right now. He looks great – a bit flashy. He has got a great mentor in Tiger, but living up to his dad’s name will be both an advantage and a challenge.
In 2007, I started looking after Rory McIlroy, and on a helicopter ride to Cheltenham with Sir Alex Ferguson, I asked how he handled Ronaldo. He gave me two pieces of advice: do not let them talk to the press much, as they will say the wrong things, and cut off the hangers-on.
It’s true – look at lads who go astray. It is usually the hangers-on. With Marcus Rashford, his family is looking after him, not hangers-on.
Tiger’s doing the right thing with Charlie. You have never seen an interview with him. Keeping Charlie out of the spotlight helps him focus on golf. Managing the fine line between confidence and conceit is crucial.
Andrew Flintoff is doing something similar with his son Rocky, a rising cricket star. Despite Rocky playing for the England A Team at 16, you do not see interviews with him either. It is the same with Charlie Woods.
If Tiger keeps Charlie under wraps for a few more years, letting his golf do the talking, it will be better for him. Of course, Tiger’s presence will be both a positive influence and a challenge. Living up to his name will not be easy.
Tiger’s experience and his agent Mark Steinberg’s expertise should ensure Charlie’s path is well-managed. Keeping him away from press distractions, like the in-depth interviews about winning Majors, is key.
