Why Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood agree if Tiger Woods should be allowed to enter The Players this year
Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood Share Their Views on Tiger Woods Missing The Players Championship
Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood answered several questions about Tiger Woods during their press conferences ahead of the Players Championship on Monday.
Thomas has only just returned to competitive golf. However, he struggled badly last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and missed the cut by 12 shots.
Fleetwood also had a difficult week at the same event. He eventually finished in 49th place.
Despite their struggles, both players are still competing. Tiger Woods, however, has not played a tournament round since The Open Championship in 2024. He underwent another back surgery around this time last year.
This season also marks the first time in Woods’ career that he is not eligible to compete in The Players Championship.
Fleetwood and Thomas were asked about that surprising situation ahead of this week’s tournament at TPC Sawgrass.
Tommy Fleetwood Reacts to Tiger Woods’ Ineligibility
Fleetwood appeared genuinely surprised when reporters told him that Woods was not eligible to play.
“Tiger’s not eligible for this event?” Fleetwood asked.
“That’s unbelievable. I would love Tiger Woods to play. I can’t believe he’s not eligible. How bad is Tiger Woods at golf?”
He quickly clarified that he meant the opposite and was simply surprised by the rule.
“I didn’t realize that,” Fleetwood added. “I’m not exactly sure what the criteria is for this tournament. But if Tiger Woods wants to play anywhere in the world, I think he should be able to.”
Fleetwood also acknowledged that other players might feel the same way if they were not qualified.
“Of course, if someone else isn’t qualified, they probably want to play too,” he said. “But we’ll cross that bridge if we get there.”
Woods’ Legacy at The Players Championship
Tiger Woods has won The Players Championship twice and remains the biggest name in golf. That is true even though he has not played competitively for nearly two years.
If Woods returns to competitive golf next season, the PGA Tour could face pressure to grant him special permission to play at TPC Sawgrass.
After all, Woods helped transform the PGA Tour into what it is today. Many fans and players believe that if anyone deserves special consideration to enter The Players Championship, it is Tiger Woods.
