Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood Agree: Time for PGA Tour to Adopt LIV Golf’s Dress Code

Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood Agree: Time for PGA Tour to Adopt LIV Golf’s Dress Code

 

In the midst of the ongoing golf civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, a surprising common ground has emerged between two of the sport’s biggest names. Despite their loyalty to the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood share a desire for a major change: the adoption of LIV Golf’s relaxed dress code, allowing players to wear shorts during tournaments.

The Dress Code Controversy: Tradition vs. Comfort

Tiger Woods, a 15-time Major winner, has remained loyal to the PGA Tour amid the division caused by LIV Golf, which was launched in 2022. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour has disrupted traditional golf norms with shotgun starts, three-round tournaments, no cuts, and most notably, a relaxed dress code. Players on the LIV Golf tour are permitted to wear shorts during tournaments, a stark contrast to the PGA Tour’s conservative requirement for players to wear trousers in all top-level events.

This issue came to the forefront during the recent US World Senior Open, where former European Ryder Cup hero Lee Westwood expressed his discomfort with having to cover his legs. Westwood, who finished tied 16th after two rounds, admitted that playing in trousers was more of a concern for him than the challenge of 72 holes.

Lee Westwood’s Preference: Shorts Over Trousers

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

“If you notice, most of the guys wear shorts in practice. You can see how many people are comfortable, especially when it gets a bit warm putting a pair of shorts on.”

Tiger Woods’ Take: Shorts in Hot Climates

Westwood’s sentiments echo those of Tiger Woods, who, back in 2018, advocated for allowing shorts during tournaments. Woods argued that playing in some of the hottest climates on the planet makes the traditional dress code impractical.

“I would love it,” Woods said. “We play in some of the hottest climates on the planet. We usually travel with the sun, and a lot of our events are in the summer. Then, during the winter months here, a lot of the guys go down to South Africa and Australia where it’s summer. A lot of the tournaments are based right around the equator, so we play in some of the hottest places on the planet. It would be nice to wear shorts. Even with my little chicken legs, I still would like to wear shorts.”

PGA Tour’s Current Stance: Tradition Holds Firm

Despite these high-profile endorsements for a dress code change, the PGA Tour has held firm on its requirements. Players must wear formal attire and trousers during competitions, though an amendment in 1999 allowed shorts during Pro-Am and practice rounds.

As the debate over dress codes continues, it’s clear that even the most loyal PGA Tour players see the potential benefits of adopting some of LIV Golf’s more progressive rules. Will the PGA Tour eventually bend to accommodate its players’ comfort, or will tradition continue to prevail? Only time will tell.