Tommy Fleetwood shocked by Tigers Players | Golf News

Tommy Fleetwood was unaware that 82-time PGA Tour champion Tiger Woods is no longer certified for the Players Championship.

Woods, 50, is not certified for the Players because any competitor must have secured at least one PGA Tour victory after the earlier Championship, and he hasn’t claimed a major in the last 5 years, with his most latest victory coming at the 2019 Masters. This follows Akshay Bhatia revealing he skilled a household tragedy moments after successful the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

“Is Tiger not eligible for this event… That’s unbelievable,” said Fleetwood forward of the Players Championship.

When requested if he would welcome Woods competing, Fleetwood added: “I would love Tiger Woods to play. I can’t believe he’s not eligible. How bad is Tiger Woods at golf?

“No, no, I’m really very stunned. I did not notice. You know, I wasn’t actually sure what standards goes into this event, but like, yeah, if Tiger Woods needs to play wherever in the world I feel, yeah, I feel Tiger Woods ought to find a way to play.”

If Woods had secured a victory in either the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial Tournament, or the Tour Championship in the past three years, or was ranked in the top 50 globally, he’d be eligible. The Players Championship is the sole event that doesn’t offer sponsors exemptions.

“I imply, I’m always going to be for him taking part in,” Justin Thomas commented on Woods. “I feel for the betterment of golf and the event, I do not suppose there’s anyone that could be against it. I suppose unless any individual that is not certified, I’m sure they want to play too. But I suppose we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.”

Players can also participate in the tournament if they’re in the top-10 for FedEx Cup points list prior to the Players Championship. Woods last clinched the 2019 Baycurrent Classic and has only made 15/21 cuts since then.

Woods has been grappling with persistent back problems, but the legendary golfer did mention that the Masters is a possibility, and he would at least be present at Augusta National Golf Club in April.

“I do not know,” Woods responded when asked if fans would see him before the 2026 Masters. “Whether it is a common tour, a senior tour, or a member-guest, I do not know.”