Tiger Woods arrived at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland to prepare for the 152nd Open Championship. Woods played an 18-hole practice round on Sunday, focusing on chipping, putting, and bunker play. This will be Woods’ first appearance in all four majors in a single year since 2019.
Keegan Bradley has been named the US captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, succeeding Zach Johnson. Bradley’s appointment comes after he was left off the 2023 US Ryder Cup squad despite a strong season. Tiger Woods, the overwhelming favorite for the role, declined due to his busy schedule and commitments to the PGA Tour.
Charlie Woods, son of golf legend Tiger Woods, fell short in his bid to qualify for his first major championship at a local qualifying site in Florida. Despite a promising performance in college golf, Woods carded a 9-over 81 at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club, failing to advance to the final 10 qualifying sites. Only 6.9% of those who reach the final stage qualify for the U.S. Open, making it an incredibly challenging feat for Woods. Nonetheless, the experience gained in this year’s qualifier will be invaluable for the young golfer.
Fifteen-year-old Charlie Woods, son of golf legend Tiger Woods, fell short in his attempt to qualify for the 2023 US Open, shooting an 81 at The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club in Florida. Only the top five finishers from the 84-player event advanced to final qualifying. Woods’ scorecard featured one birdie, four bogeys, and three double bogeys. The teenage Woods had previously attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic in February but also missed the cut. Despite his setback, Woods and his father, Tiger, have played together in the PNC Championship for the past four years, finishing runners-up in 2021.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are reportedly set to receive substantial bonuses for their loyalty to the PGA Tour, amid rumors of defections to the rival LIV Golf series. According to reports, Woods could receive up to £80 million, while McIlroy could get up to £40 million. The bonuses are part of a £1.2 billion investment by Strategic Sports Group into PGA Tour Enterprises. Around two-thirds of the investment will be distributed as equity to 193 golfers, with Woods and McIlroy among the top earners. The bonuses will be based on factors such as career points, Player Impact Program performance, and years of service. Woods and McIlroy have been key figures in the PGA Tour’s success, with Woods having won 82 Tour titles and McIlroy having won three FedEx Cups. Other top players such as Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are also expected to receive significant bonuses.
In an effort to deter defections to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, the PGA Tour will distribute up to $3 billion in bonuses to nearly 200 players. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will receive the largest payouts, with Woods receiving up to $100 million in equity. The bonuses are based on a formula that considers career success and cultural popularity. The PGA Tour will also award $100 million in equity to notable retired players and provide $100 million in recurring grants to future players starting in 2025. The bonuses are a way to express gratitude for the players’ loyalty and to ensure the PGA Tour remains the premier golf league.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have been rewarded for their loyalty to the PGA Tour with multi-million dollar payouts from the newly created PGA Tour Enterprises. Woods will receive $100 million while McIlroy will earn $50 million. The Telegraph reported that around $750 million of equity will be divvied up between 36 “superstars” who are the “most deserving.” Another $250 million will be split up between roughly 160 other golfers.
The PGA Tour has begun distributing $930 million in equity shares to 193 players who have remained loyal to the tour despite the allure of Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The equity program is part of a new initiative called PGA Tour Enterprises, which has received a $1.5 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group and is in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The majority of the equity shares ($750 million) have been allocated to 36 top-performing players based on their career achievements and star power. While the specific amounts received by individual players have not been disclosed, reports suggest that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy may have received $100 million and $50 million respectively. The equity program is intended to incentivize players to stay with the PGA Tour and recognize their contributions to the growth and success of the tour. Additionally, $600 million in recurring equity grants have been set aside for future PGA Tour players, beginning in 2025.
The PGA Tour has injected a substantial $3 billion into its operations, with a portion of the funds earmarked for player bonuses. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have received the most significant payouts, with over $100 million and $50 million, respectively. McIlroy expressed his concerns about the ongoing competition with LIV Golf, acknowledging that the PGA Tour may struggle to outbid the rival league’s seemingly endless resources.
In response to the recent defections to LIV Golf, the PGA Tour has announced plans to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to its members, with top players like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas receiving multi-million dollar bonuses.
