PGA Tour Fall Schedule Is Set, But One Major Star Appears Ready to Skip It

PGA Tour Fall Schedule Is Set, But One Major Star Appears Ready to Skip It

In a move that has left fans both disappointed and unsurprised, Tiger Woods has announced that he currently has no plans to participate in any fall events prior to the Hero World Challenge. This 20-player unofficial event, which Woods hosts in the Bahamas, is set to take place later this year.

 

Woods, who failed to make the cut at the British Open and has only played five tournaments and 11 rounds in 2024, has repeatedly stated his need to play more, provided his body can handle it. However, he has struggled to find a competitive rhythm, leading to a cycle of missed cuts and underwhelming performances. Although Woods has shown flashes of brilliance, his lack of frequent play has prevented him from achieving the sharpness needed for consistent success. “I got a lot of time off to get better, to be better physically, which has been the case all year,” Woods said. “I’ve gotten better, even though my results really haven’t shown it, but physically I’ve gotten better, which is great. I just need to keep progressing like that and then eventually start playing more competitively and start getting into kind of the competitive flow again.”

 

At this stage in his career, Woods appears unmotivated by fall golf, though playing a few events could help him build momentum. Waiting nearly five months to play again seems like starting the process over. While he could change his mind, it seems unlikely. The next time fans will likely see him on the course is at the Hero World Challenge in early December, followed by what he jokingly refers to as the “fifth major,” the Father-Son PNC tournament.

 

## Jon Rahm, the Ryder Cup, and Other Notes

 

Jon Rahm faces a unique challenge as he needs to play four DP World Tour events this year to retain his membership and remain eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup. The upcoming Olympic tournament will count as one, and he has expressed a desire to play in the Spanish Open in early October. However, Rahm’s wife, Kellie, is experiencing a difficult pregnancy with their third child, adding to his concerns about meeting the requirement.

 

Rahm has yet to discuss the matter with DP World Tour officials. To meet the requirement, he needs to play three more times, with another event in Spain and the French Open as potential options. There is also speculation about whether the DP World Tour might grant the LIV Golf star a waiver if he falls short.

 

Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele made headlines by becoming the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2014 to win both the PGA Championship and Open in the same year, and the first to win two majors in a year since Brooks Koepka in 2018. This year also marks the first time since 1982 that Americans have won all four majors: Scottie Scheffler, Schauffele (twice), and Bryson DeChambeau. Back in 1982, Craig Stadler won the Masters, Tom Watson won both Opens, and Raymond Floyd took the PGA.

 

Schauffele was the only player this year to finish in the top 10 in all four majors. He finished eighth at the Masters and tied for seventh at the U.S. Open, and notably, he did not record a single three-putt at the British Open at Royal Troon.

 

As the PGA Tour regular season draws to a close, the 3M Championship and the Wyndham Championship (following the Olympic Men’s event) represent the final opportunities for players to qualify for the top 70 and secure a spot in the first playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Afterward, it will be a long eight months-plus until the next major championship, with the Masters kicking off on April 10, 2025.