Tiger Woods already made feelings clear as Lee Westwood explains why LIV Golf preference

Lee Westwood Laments Dress Code as Golf’s Dress Debate Heats Up with Tiger Woods’ Support

Golf legend Tiger Woods might be lending his support to Lee Westwood after the latter voiced his frustration over the traditional dress code in golf. Westwood, a LIV Golf player, has expressed his displeasure about having to revert to wearing trousers at top-level events like this weekend’s US World Senior Open.

The LIV Golf Revolution

Since its inception in 2022, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour has introduced several changes to the sport’s traditional norms. From shotgun starts and 54-hole tournaments to no cuts and a relaxed dress code allowing players to wear shorts, LIV has set itself apart from the American-run tour. These changes have sparked a civil war within the golfing community, with players like Westwood finding comfort in LIV’s more relaxed rules.

Westwood’s Trouser Troubles

Westwood, a former European Ryder Cup star, is notably irked by the dress code requirements at traditional golf tournaments. Ahead of the US World Senior Open, where he was tied for 16th after two rounds, Westwood was candid about his preference for shorts over trousers.

“I think I can manage it [72 holes]. It’s playing in trousers that’s bothering me more. 72 holes won’t be a problem,” he remarked. “Like I say, it’s looking down and seeing my legs in trousers. I prefer to get my legs out.”

The Push for Comfort in the Heat

Westwood isn’t alone in his sentiments. Tiger Woods, one of golf’s most iconic figures, has previously advocated for a more relaxed dress code, especially given the sweltering conditions in which many tournaments are held. In 2018, Woods highlighted the extreme heat golfers often face and expressed his desire to wear shorts during competition.

“We play in some of the hottest climates on the planet,” Woods said. “We usually travel with the sun, and a lot of our events are in the summer. It would be nice to wear shorts. Even with my little chicken legs, I still would like to wear shorts.”

A Call for Change

While the PGA Tour’s strict dress code policy currently mandates trousers during competitions, a shift may be on the horizon. The policy was last altered in 1999 to allow players to wear shorts during Pro-Am and practice rounds. However, the growing support for more relaxed attire, voiced by influential players like Woods and Westwood, could drive further changes.

As the debate over golf’s dress code continues, the question remains: Will the sport’s governing bodies heed the calls for change, or will tradition hold firm? For now, players like Lee Westwood will have to navigate the challenges of playing in trousers, even as they hope for a future where comfort takes precedence over convention.