PGA Tour winner Tommy Gainey speculates that Tiger Woods may make his PGA Tour Champions debut at the Insperity Invitational, based on a recent sponsorship deal. Woods, who turned 50 recently, continues to recover from surgery while facing encouragement from golf legends to join the senior circuit. Gainey believes the deal signals Woods' interest in the event.
Tiger Woods, the 15-time major winner, recently turned 50, prompting speculation about a potential shift to the PGA Tour Champions. While no official announcement has been made, former PGA Tour player Tommy Gainey, now competing on the senior circuit, suggests Woods has provided a clue through a new sponsorship.
Gainey, speaking on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, pointed to Woods' deal with Insperity, visible on his sleeve. "There’s been rumours he’s going to play out here," Gainey said. "I don’t know if any of the golf fans in TV land or radio land have seen, but he signed a deal with Insperity... And Insperity have a tournament on the PGA Tour Champions. So, I’ll let people think maybe what they want to think on that, but that tells me that if he’s able to play, he’s going to play in that one."
The Insperity Invitational is scheduled for May 4-10 at The Woodlands, Texas. This timing could align with Woods' recovery from lumbar disc replacement surgery in October, following an Achilles tendon rupture while preparing for last year's Masters.
Woods recently updated his progress during a TGL match: "I’m moving up to short irons, so that’s about it... I’m progressing, which is nice. I’m getting there and getting stronger. It’s just one of those things where it just takes so much time for the bone to heal and the bone to set."
Golf icons have urged Woods to join the seniors. Ernie Els called it "beneficial," while Bernhard Langer, Jack Nicklaus, and Paul Azinger predict or suggest he will play. Stewart Cink told GOLF that the tour would help Woods stay sharp for majors: "[Woods] already made his legacy... It would be a good way for him to test out his body... It would be huge."
Gainey, last season's Hale Irwin Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour Champions, expressed excitement: "The biggest thing for him is, I want him to get healthy... I would love to be paired with him going into the final round with a chance to win... That would be a dream come true. Everyone knows he was the man on the PGA Tour and he’s still the needle... he’s going to bring more eyes to the PGA Tour Champions."
PGA Tour Champions Player Director Steve Flesch echoed the anticipation: "Every meeting we’re like, hopefully he plays... if we could get 10 out of him, that’d be fantastic. But nobody knows." Despite the buzz, Woods' plans remain uncertain.
