Tiger Woods is playing a grueling schedule (for him) to kick off the 2017 calendar year. Woods recently played the Farmers Insurance Open, is playing the Dubai Desert Classic this week before heading home for the Genesis Open and Honda Classic in February. Four tournaments in five weeks is crazy for Woods, but he said recently he wants to get reps before the Masters.
“One of the reasons why I’m playing four out of five here is to get more competitive rounds so that come the first full week in April, I’ll have more rounds under my belt and know what it feels like to be ready,” said Woods.
But it won’t be like this for the rest of the year.
“I haven’t been able to travel much,” said Woods. “I’ve been home in Florida for basically almost two years now. Not really traveling much because I really can’t. Now I’m going to be able to start doing that and I would like to start playing around the world but again, it will be a limited schedule. I won’t be playing a high number of events. I’ve got to save my body and be ready to peak four times a year.”
It will be interesting to see where Woods heads after the Honda Classic. Here are his options and whether I think he will play each event.
WGC-Mexico Championship: Woods would have to move way up in the Official World Golf Rankings to even qualify here (he is currently No. 666, not a typo). This tournament would be a shock.
Valspar Championship: This is not a tournament Woods usually plays, and I do not expect to see him play it this year. I think he’s playing four in five weeks specifically so he won’t have to play here.
Arnold Palmer Invitational: Woods will be here. He has won it eight times. It’s the first one since Palmer passed away. Unless he’s on the operating table, he’ll play.
WGC-Match Play Championship: Again, he would not qualify where he currently stands.
Houston Open: This seems like the most likely candidate for a Woods appearance. He has never played here, but he has business in Houston, and the tournament famously gives its course the Augusta treatment to help players get ready for the following week with The Masters is the week after. I think Woods adds one event to his schedule in addition to the Palmer, and I think it could be Houston.
In addition to projecting Woods’ future, we are also going to keep track of Woods’ schedule for the entire year, missed cuts and all. Here is the list thus far. These are either tournaments he has played or ones that he has confirmed that he will enter.
TournamentLocationDatesScoresFinishFarmers Insurance OpenLa Jolla, Calif.Jan. 26-2976-72MCDubai Desert ClassicDubai, UAEFeb. 2-5Genesis OpenLos Angeles, Calif.Feb. 16-19Honda ClassicPalm Beach Gardens, FloridaFeb. 23-26
