19th Hole

Can Tiger Woods win in 2025? Or beyond? (plus an interesting question)

Published

1 year ago

Dec 14, 2024

Around the 10-minute mark of the latest episode of Not Another Golf Show, the guys dig into Tiger Woods’ health update at last week’s Hero World Challenge and news he plans to tee it up along with his son Charlie at the PNC Championship next week.

Here’s an excerpt of the conversation.

Ben: I’ll ask you, coming out of out of his Hero presser and his answers around his health. Did you expect him to be ready for this event or did you expect he’d be on the shelf for a bit longer here?

Gianni: I thought he’d play because he can just get in a cart for this… it’s not going to be taxing on the body at all. let’s be honest, nobody really cares about the result. It’s more about just teaming and having fun. So I’m not surprised he’s playing, but it’s very hard to be enthusiastic about Tiger’s 2025 when you listen to him speak about his body, about his health, how he’s not going to be able to play lead-up events into the majors. I know he hates the term “ceremonial golfer” but it’s hard to get away with not calling him that these days.

Ben: I mean, just looking at his age, irrespective of the toll the body has taken, which is singular, think, in golf, at least among top golfers. mean, the infographic of what has happened to each portion of his body and what he’s weathered, the number of surgeries, all of that is…It’s really staggering and you know, it’s easy to forget about some of it. But I mean, the age he’s at, for the most part, players don’t win anymore. I mean, he’s past the age of decline.

So you got father time going against you generally. then given everything he’s been through. And I think specifically, he has issues affecting his ability to walk and his endurance related to that and the ability to pain-free related to that. But you know, the back issues, I think just as much the way that continues to be a thing, you know, I mean, he was on the shelf for his prior back surgery, right? When the car accident happened, and then all the focus is on the leg, you know. But the back was still very much a thing at that point, and obviously, as evidenced by him having another surgery here, still is very much a thing. So, it’s super concerning in terms of just his ability to ever have the combination of feeling good enough to get the reps, to get the game sharp enough, and having four days in which he’s able to walk around with the level of comfort that it’s not adversely affecting his play.

Gianni: Yeah, I would just, and it is never going to happen, but I would just love to see him avail of the PGA Tour’s disability clause and just use a cart for a year and just see how he feels after that…because he’s just giving himself fits now…

Ben: I mean, it would be an interesting counterfactual. I agree, it won’t happen. But how would he play? Would he be able to contend if he just had to get out of the cart and hit shots? Would he be at a level where he was truly competitive? Greatest golfer of all time, in my opinion. An argument for the greatest iron player. And still even in these tournaments, he can hit the shots. At times, it’s there in a way. So, it would be interesting to see if taking that stress off the body and effectively just having to hop out and hit a shot, what he’d be able to shoot.

Gianni: Yeah, because he’ll probably play well next week and then everyone will get hyped up and they don’t realize he’s going to play once or twice before the Masters then. It’s just not enough preparation. He just can’t compete against these guys with that level of reps. His body is just not ready for it.

…and still we’re all going to tune in next week because it’s Tiger.

Ben: You grow up a fan, it’s kind of “hope springs eternal,” and he’s always had the reputation for and indeed has done the impossible, the improbable. So, you know, you still believe it on some level believe there could be another win or another major there. But the data, you know, if you’re making the case, it’s certainly much tougher than it has ever been before for him to win a major championship.

You can listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.

GolfWRX · Not Another Golf Show: Brooks & Bryson, exhibition golf debate, Tiger’s future + Hot takes

19th Hole

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”