2024 to determine if Tiger Woods can win again

Tiger Woods is convinced he can still win on the PGA Tour and 2024 should be the year to indicate whether it remains a realistic goal for the former world number one.

Since suffering a serious leg injury in a car accident in early 2021, Woods’ competitive appearances on the tour have been infrequent and, when he has been able to play, it has been apparent he has been struggling with the effects of his injury. But two outings in unofficial events in December have given Woods cause for optimism that he can add to his record-breaking 82 PGA Tour victories.

Masters his most likely major

Given Woods has stated his target is to play one tournament a month in 2024, the odds are certainly not in his favor. The betting UK markets indicate the Masters will be his best chance of success in a major, with Woods currently a +7000 shot to win at Augusta. He’s priced at +9000 for The Open and +10000 for the US Open and USPGA. Woods’ chances will always be discussed among the betting tips for the majors, and he has demonstrated on plenty of occasions that it would be unwise to write him off.

In winning his fifth Masters in 2019, Woods proved that the fire still burns, and he retained the power and touch to compete with the best when everything comes together at that stage. After recently finishing in a tie for fifth at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Woods was adamant that, nearly five years since his last major win, the tools for victory are still in his bag.

Using those tools across four competitive rounds, though, is going to be the decisive challenge for Woods given he will be unable to use a golf buggy on the PGA Tour. Having noticeably struggled physically with the undulating terrain at Augusta before withdrawing after his second round in April, Woods’ fitness will be severely tested.

What will be interesting to learn is which events Woods chooses to participate in, if he sticks to his one-tournament-a-month intention. With The Players Championship having moved to March in recent years, Woods has the scope to play at Sawgrass and the four majors due to the timing of the events.

US Open and USPGA venues to suit

The 2024 venues for the US Open and USPGA are Pinehurst and Valhalla, respectively, and will surely tempt Woods into ensuring he is fit and able to participate. He won the 2000 USPGA in a play-off at Valhalla, while he has been a runner-up and tied third in the US Opens at Pinehurst.

Woods will head into 2024 as a 48-year-old and while Phil Mickelson won the USPGA a few weeks shy of his 51st birthday in 2021, he has not endured the catalogue of injuries that have beset his long-time rival.

Overhauling Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors does now feel out of reach for Woods but stepping out on his own away from Sam Snead by winning an 83rd PGA Tour title is clearly on his mind. With Woods determined to play more consistently on tour, 2024 will tell us how realistic his goal of another win is.