Tiger Woods opened up proceedings ahead of Brian Rolapp’s press conference on Tuesday with a few short words.
Woods has endured real challenges in his personal life over the past few years, but he looked healthy and happy again when speaking to the media at TPC River Highlands.
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Woods was in attendance as Rolapp explained the series of changes that will be implemented on the PGA Tour in 2028.
Brian Rolapp came across really well and spoke in a calm, yet authoritative manner.
The PGA Tour clearly has a bright future with Rolapp at the helm, but it remains to be seen whether Tiger Woods will be involved in the playing side of things.
Woods has not played since the Open Championship in 2024, and golf fans are desperate to see him back in action.
However, it will be interesting to see whether he is even eligible to play in the biggest and most lucrative events from 2028 onwards.
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The PGA Tour may have to create another Tiger Woods clause
Rolapp made it very clear that there would be no sponsor exemptions for the PGA Tour Championship Series Events, nor will there be alternate spots.
Now, this could cause a problem.
Tiger Woods was granted a ‘Lifetime Achievement Exemption’ after surpassing the 80 PGA Tour win mark.
This guarantees him automatic entry into all of the PGA Tour’s exclusive, high-purse events.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Rolapp responded when asked whether that exemption would still apply to Woods regarding the Championship Series Events.
“I think we’re working a lot on eligibility, but when the dust settles, there will be a clear form of eligibility, and how you earn your way into the Championship Series will be clear,“ he said.
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So, there is a good chance that Rolapp may have to create a special category for Woods once again.
Tiger Woods is still the PGA Tour’s biggest star
Every single sponsor would love Tiger Woods playing in their event.
He is still the biggest draw in golf, bar none.
However, with Rolapp insisting that there will be no sponsor’s exemptions for the PGA Tour Championship Series Events, Woods would obviously not qualify for them, given his current ranking.
The PGA Tour CEO will almost certainly create a new exemption clause to ensure that Tiger Woods is eligible to play in the Championship Series Events, if he is fit and able to do so of course.
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The game of golf is better when Woods is playing.
And one thing’s for sure; if Woods is eligible to play in the biggest events, the fees that sponsors will be willing to pay the PGA Tour will drastically increase.
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