In the movie Rocky III, Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) is sparring with Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed) in anticipation of a rematch with the new champion Clubber Lang. Rocky is being pummeled by Creed and offers no resistance. Rocky meekly offers he will be ready—“tomorrow.”
Creed’s retort is brutally succinct—“there is no tomorrow.”
When Tiger Woods arrived at Valhalla for the 106th PGA Championship the anticipation of the moment was palpable for him personally and for his fan base in Kentucky and elsewhere.
Flashbacks emerged from 25 years earlier when Woods defended his PGA title and vanquished a determined journeyman player in Bob May. That specific win set in motion a brilliant streak of epic golf with him winning 7 of 11 major titles in less than three years.
But the Woods of today is a quarter of a century removed from that time frame and no longer the most feared player. Tiger remains highly respected by those competing now—but for past accomplishments.
Woods scored a 72 in his first round and was passed by over 70 players on a soft and very scoreable Valhalla layout. For Friday’s second round, it was Woods tumbling to a 77 and missing the 36-hole cut. All in all, Tiger finished ahead of just 21 players who started the championship.
The inability of Woods to be a factor comes from multiple surgeries on his 48-year-old body and coincides with a lack of competitive rounds. Prior to the PGA Championship—his last tournament was the Masters, and although he made the cut for a record time, his final two rounds were 82 and 77 resulting in a dead last placement among those completing 72 holes.
Woods still yearns to be a factor when elite-level golf is played but the statistical reality says otherwise.
His last win came in 2019 when he miraculously came from behind to win his fifth green jacket and 15th major title at the Masters.
Bill Parcells, the former two-time Super Bowl-winning coach and hall-of-famer was most telling when assessing the state of a football team. “You are what your record says you are.” For Woods, he is what his golf scores say he is.
Tiger’s time now is split with his participation as a player director on the PGA Tour policy board. There’s a major emphasis on securing a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabis Public Investment Fund (PIF). There’s also a push from the PGA of America for Woods to serve as captain of the USA Ryder Cup team in 2025 at Bethpage.
Tiger’s involvement as USA Ryder Cup captain seemed like a no-brainer once Phil Mickelson left the picture because of his involvement with LIV. However, thus far, nothing is yet confirmed.
Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, indicated at Valhalla there’s no final timeline on whether Woods is selected or not. In sum—the PGA of America wants Tiger so bad it’s prepared to wait matters out—no matter how long.
Woods also has two children now in their teen years. Spending time with them is a critical emphasis for him.
The Tiger Woods brand still resonates globally. No single golfer has ever commanded the presence he does.
While fame may be forever—one’s golf game is not.
The collective toll from the various surgeries has clearly limited prep time for events. Thinking he can just show up at such important championships and compete against younger and more seasoned competitors is a fanciful concept that’s simply failing.
The legacy of Tiger Woods is set in stone—he is on the Mount Rushmore in golf. Even if he never hits another shot the stature of his accomplishments is firmly planted in the record books. Should his level of non-competitive play continue one can only wonder how long will he proceed down a path showing little promise for success.
Part of the greatness of Woods, and any other elite-level athlete for that matter, is the ironclad resolute belief in themselves. That specific element is the rocket fuel that propelled them to heights far beyond their competition.
Years ago, an aging Frank Sinatra continued to believe he could engage with fans via the concert route. Unfortunately, the memory of his own lyrics failed him and the embarrassment of his efforts was there for all to see.
Woods received a special exemption to appear in the upcoming U.S. Open at Pinehurst in mid-June. He will also plans to play in The Open Championship in late July in Scotland at Royal Troon as a three-time winner of the Claret Jug.
The acceleration of golf worldwide comes from the standout play Woods demonstrated going back to his days as an amateur before turning professional in 1996. The inspiration Tiger provided is often cited by countless professional players competing now in their prime years.
Woods has acknowledged he does not wish to be a ceremonial golfer who simply shows up with no remote chance in being competitive. Yet the reality is clear—simply making cuts is now the new norm for Tiger.
Going into a deeper discussion dive with Woods on this subject is not likely to happen. For much of his professional career Tiger has perfected the non-answer to specific questions from inquiring media.
Inevitably when Woods does reappear at the U.S. Open and is in front of the media the intensity of the questioning will only ramp up with greater probing.
Tiger is facing a time clock with respective pressures from a variety of different sources. Ultimately, the inner passion that burned long and hard for him in amassing the formidable record of accomplishment will need to be rekindled.
Does that spark remain?
Is Woods even capable in reigniting that flame at this point in his life?
Without that resolve and commitment, the answer can only be what Creed said to Balboa:
There is no tomorrow.
