Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood both fielded questions about Tiger Woods during their press conferences ahead of the Players Championship on Monday.
Thomas has only just returned to competitive action and he really struggled last week at Bay Hill, missing the cut by 12 shots!
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Meanwhile, Fleetwood experienced similar problems in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and ended up finishing in 49th.
At least they’re both out there playing, though. Tiger Woods hasn’t played a tournament round since The Open in 2024 after he underwent yet another back surgery this time last year.
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Interestingly, this year is the first time in Woods’ career where he is not eligible to compete in the Players Championship.
And now Fleetwood and Thomas have delivered their verdicts on the 15-time major champion not being eligible to play at TPC Sawgrass.
Tommy Fleetwood says whether Tiger Woods should be allowed to enter The Players
Tiger is obviously not ready to play right now anyway.
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However, if he was fully fit and raring to go, should he be granted special dispensation to compete at The Players?
It was put to Fleetwood on Monday that Woods wasn’t eligible to play the event.
“Tiger’s not eligible for this event?“ Fleetwood asked.
“That’s unbelievable.
“I would say yeah. 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 am actually very surprised. I didn’t realize.
“You know, I wasn’t really sure what criteria goes into this tournament, but like, yeah, if Tiger Woods wants to play anywhere in the world I think, yeah, I think Tiger Woods should be able to play.“
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Fleetwood didn’t mince his words there.
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He’s right as well – if Tiger wants to play anywhere in the world, he should be allowed to do so, given his impact on the sport.
Justin Thomas gives Tiger Woods Players Championship verdict
Thomas faced the same question about Woods during his pre-Players press conference.
“I mean, I’m always going to be for him playing,“ Thomas said.
“I think for the betterment of golf and the tournament, I don’t think there’s anybody that would be against it.
“I guess unless somebody that isn’t qualified, I’m sure they would like to play too.
“But I guess we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.“
Woods has won The Players Championship twice before and he is still the biggest name in the game, despite the fact that he hasn’t played competitively for nearly two years!
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If Tiger Woods is playing again this time next year, the PGA Tour may have to grant him special permission to compete at The Players Championship.
Woods made the PGA Tour what it is today and if anyone deserves a free pass, it’s him.
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