Lanny Wadkins says he thinks Tiger will be a regular on the Champions Tour. Here's why.
With Tiger Woods just days away from turning 50, speculation is mounting that the 15-time major champion could embrace a robust schedule on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026.
Earlier this month, Woods stopped short of committing to how often he’ll compete on the senior circuit, where the use of carts and 54-hole formats at most events are seen as factors that could make it more appealing than the PGA Tour.
“Once I get a feel for practicing, exploding, playing, the recovery process, then I can assess where I’m going to play and how much I’ll play,” Woods said at the Hero World Challenge at Albany Club, where he serves as host. “I’m a ways away from that part of it and that type of decision, that type of commitment level.”
Lanny Wadkins, a World Golf Hall of Famer who won the ACE Group Classic in his Champions tour debut in 2000 and later spent more than a decade as a broadcaster, believes Woods will be a regular.
“For the most part, everybody who turns 50 goes and plays,” Wadkins said. “Phil Mickelson did until he went to LIV, and Ernie Els has supported it, playing almost every week. We’ve got Hall of Famers all over the place out there.”
Wadkins added that Woods’ close friend John Cook has hinted Tiger will play — and not just in senior majors. He even outlined a potential schedule:
“Let’s not forget how many times Tiger won at Firestone (site of the Kaulig Companies Championship),” Wadkins said.
“He also won the Buick Open at Warwick Hills, where we now play the Ally Challenge, and he liked it there. I’d be surprised if he didn’t play Newport (site of the Hoag Classic) since he grew up at Big Canyon, right across the street. And I think he just signed a big deal and is wearing an Insperity logo on his shirt. If that’s the case, he’ll play the Insperity Invitational in Houston.
“So, take those alone and throw in the Senior Open, the U.S. Senior Open, and maybe the Senior PGA, and we might get Tiger 10 to 12 times. I really hope that’s the case.”
Wadkins, who won the PNC Championship in 2015 with his son Tucker, said Woods has plenty of motivation.
“Number one, he’s still got competitive juices. Number two, I think he would really enjoy it,” Wadkins said. “And another thing — I judge this on me and my boys — I think Tiger's going to want to keep playing so he can compete with Charlie as he goes through college.”
Wadkins recently completed a renovation of TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas, host of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson for the past five years. He admits he wishes he could still play in the PNC.
“Listen, I’m pissed the PNC is listed on the Champions tour when they don’t have many on there,” he said. “I mean, I won the PNC and I don’t get invited anymore. I’d go in a heartbeat with my kids.”
In fact, Wadkins has floated the idea of a Champions version of the PNC with a bigger field.
“I always felt like the Champs should do their own version of that tournament,” Wadkins said. “It would get amazing support. You could start with guys who won regular Tour majors, then add senior major winners. It’d be a huge success. That’s above my pay grade, but I’ve never understood why we haven’t seen that yet.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Tiger Woods on the Champions Tour? Lanny Wadkins says yes
Category: General Sports
