It has been months since a historic event in golfing history. Yes, the event in question is none other than the $3 billion LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger. This merger faced a huge backlash from thousands of fans around the world and golf legends like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and many others. Interestingly, there were eminent names who backed the Saudi-funded LIV Golf and its players like 2022 Masters Champion Jon Rahm.

Months after the faceoff between Rahm and Woods, 2022 NBA finalist Jayson Tatum recently made a controversial statement. And, it might disappoint Tiger Woods fans.

NBA finalist makes a choice between Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum recently participated in his first-ever ProAm in Memphis a few hours ago. Although it was his first major appearance, the 6-foot-8 inches tall star had some good help.

It was none other than Jon Rahm. The Spaniard was more than happy to guide Tatum in this new sport and he also revealed that the two had met unofficially in the past.

“When they told me I couldn’t get no sleep last night”, said Tatum when asked about his initial reaction to the news of playing with Rahm. He further added, “You know, he’s my favorite golfer. Super cool, down to Earth. We had great conversations, pretty funny”.

Although Tiger Woods is a legend who is laser-focused on his game when on the golf course, he is also known for his colorful life outside.

NUCLR Golf recently shared a photograph of the golfing legend with the Hooters Girls on the Hooters wall in Florida. The photograph seemed quite old, as Tiger appeared relatively young, with a cheerful smile, surrounded by girls.

The golf tracking Twitter handle wrote:

“🐅👱‍♀️ — Hang it in the Louvre — 🐐 🖼️”

Here’s a look at some of the reactions:

“Where was John Daly?”

“Tiger Woods with a grin so big even the owl in the logo blushed!”

“Only one had a chance.😂

“Have a meal and play 18 holes at the same time.”

“They didn’t have to label him lol everyone knows Eldrick!!”

“Smorgasboard ….”

“Love that picture!!!”

“One GOAT, 3 mids, 7 goats.”

“Tiger is the 🐐 on and off course if ya know what I mean.”

“I need this on a tee shirt.”

“Glory days.”

Why is Tiger Woods not playing at the FedEx St. Jude Championship?

Tiger Woods is absent from this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship as he is still recovering from the subtalar fusion surgery he underwent a few months ago. He was struggling with post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture and had to withdraw from the Masters on the final day.

The 47-year-old golfer had a severe car accident a couple of years ago, which resulted in him developing plantar fasciitis. Since 2021, he has not appeared in many tournaments.

Earlier this year, he announced that he would only participate in the majors and a handful of other events moving forward to allow his body ample rest.

Woods has participated in the FedEx Cup Playoffs 12 times and emerged victorious twice. He held the record for most titles for 15 years until 2022, when Rory McIlroy secured his third FedEx Cup title. His first win came in 2007, during the inaugural edition of the Playoffs.

Two years later, Wowods clinched his second Playoff title. Both of his victories happened when the playoffs consisted of four events, which were reduced to three after 2018. He remains the third-highest earner in the Playoffs, amassing earnings of $39,042,804 in 26 starts.

In addition to his two wins, the 15-time major champion has secured two runner-up finishes and one third-place finish in the Playoffs. His most recent appearance in the Playoffs was in 2020, where he finished 62nd. His most recent victory in a Playoffs event was at the 2018 Tour Championship, where he beat Billy Horschel by two strokes.

Here’s Tiger’s performance in the Playoffs over the years:

• 2007: 1
• 2008: 70
• 2009: 1
• 2010: 42
• 2011: 132
• 2012: 3
• 2013: 2
• 2014: 218
• 2015: 178
• 2018: 2
• 2019: 42
• 2020: 63

Tiger Woods was named the latest addition to the PGA Tour Policy Board earlier this month. The legendary golfer took on the role of Player Director, becoming the sixth one in the circuit’s 11-member policy board. The decision was welcomed by players and officials alike, including PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

The PGA Tour chief on Wednesday commented on the August 1 announcement and stated that Woods’ rise to power on the board was imminent. He added that he “couldn’t say yes fast enough.”

Jay Monahan said, as quoted by the Golf channel:

“I couldn’t say yes fast enough, because he’s essentially been, in a certain way, in that role behind the scenes. I think it’s a tremendous statement, and it gives our players great confidence to know that he’s in that spot.”

It is pertinent to note that the decision to appoint Woods to the circuit’s policy board was taken after a 41-member players group, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm, reportedly wrote to Monahan demanding action.

The golfers, shocked by last month’s announcement of a framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, had voiced the need for a player representative like Woods on the board.

Commenting on the appointment, Monahan further stated that the ace golfer was “going to be very involved” in the Tour’s functioning going forward.

He added:

“Tiger Woods doesn’t do anything lightly, and so he’s going to be very involved. He already is, and I expect as we go forward that will only continue. He brings a level of accountability to what he does every single day, and I think he’ll bring a level of accountability to us alongside his fellow player directors that will ultimately get us to the right place.”

Rory McIlroy dubs Tiger Woods a ‘great addition’ to the policy board

Apart from Monahan, several players were also ecstatic about Tiger Woods’ latest role. Fellow player director Rory McIlroy dubbed Woods a “great addition” to the circuit’s board.

The Irishman said:

“It’s a great addition. The player over the last 20 years that’s left the biggest legacy on the game, for him to be involved in the discussions around the future of professional golf and what that may look like I think is very important.

Tiger has stepped up for all of us on Tour, and I think he realizes that the players that are on the policy board were trying to play regular golf, and at the same time try to navigate all these different things, as well. He’s maybe got a little more time on his hands than we do.”

After a significant change in PGA Tour’s management last Tuesday with Tiger Woods becoming the sixth player director of the policy board, this new position has affirmed to the players that there lies a voice that would take into consideration their rights and transparency.

With Woods’ role now defined, world No. 3 golfer has made a bizarre plea to the PGA Tour in a presser ahead of the FedEx Cup playoff series.

PGA Tour loyalist makes a hysterical appeal amidst a presser in Memphis

The FedEx Cup playoffs are one of the most anticipated series of events taking place at the end of the PGA Tour season. And only the top 70 will get a chance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Out of those top 70 names, Jon Rahm is currently in first place. And this two-time major winner made a hilarious confession in a presser lately.

He said in the press conference, “A freaking Port-a-Potty on every hole. I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t choose when I have to go to the bathroom. I’ve told the Tour this many times, as simple as that,” outlining the fact that he requires a portable bathroom, which he expects the PGA Tour to have. By mentioning the PGA Tour, he indirectly hinted at Tiger Woods paying heed to his silly demands.

What is the new with the FedEx Cup format?

The FedEx Cup playoffs are the most awaited series of events on the PGA Tour schedule. It has a hefty purse of $76 million and a handsome amount of $18 million sealed in the name of the winner.

But this year, the FedEx Cup has introduced a significant change in its format. While previously there were 125 players who could compete in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, this year the list has been cut short to the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings, which will take place at the TPC Southwind golf course on August 10.

And then, followed by a progressive cut, the remaining top 50 standings will make it to the BMW Championship. Finally, the series will conclude with the TOUR Championship, which will follow a stroke-based system and feature the best 30 FedEx Cup standings.

The PGA TOUR has released its highly anticipated schedule for the 2024 FedExCup Season, containing a number of intriguing upgrades and innovations that are likely to captivate fans and players alike. This is an impressive demonstration of the ongoing influence of golf superstar Tiger Woods.