Richard Bland’s success in overcoming a final-round deficit and defeating Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita in an extended playoff for the U.S. Senior Open title at Newport Country Club on July 1 was a clear testament to the 51-year-old’s determination to never give up, even after trailing by seven shots after the first two rounds.
Bland won his second consecutive senior major this year and earned an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
The Senior Open was helped considerably in having a quality venue with Newport CC—one of the five founding clubs of the USGA serving in the host role.
In the two most recent national championships played there, in 1995 and 2006, the names of such titans as Tiger Woods (U.S. Amateur) and Annika Sorenstam (U.S. Women’s Open) were crowned. But a playoff featuring two relatively unknown players for a broader television audience was hardly must-see television.
Ironically, the main anchor around the neck of the Champions Tour is its general blandness—no insult intended to the Englishman’s achievement at Newport.
When senior golf blossomed roughly 45 years ago, the synergy of past greats with meaningful star power was front and center.
Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino were clear headliners, igniting real interest among viewers who came of age during their careers.
Senior golf, at that time, was viewed as interesting to watch as the actual PGA Tour, and even more interesting for many.
In recent years the achievements of Bernhard Langer have been noteworthy. Winning the 2023 U.S. Senior Open and securing the most wins overall and the most majors in senior golf is noteworthy. But the talented German never had the broader fan base and at 66 is nearing the end of his competitive days.
When Phil Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah, becoming the first golfer to win a major event at 50 years of age, the springboard for a renaissance in senior golf was present
Mickelson played in a number of senior events after that triumph—winning four times—but opted to bolt for the more lucrative LIV Tour in 2022.
The Champions Tour has talented players but there’s no single headliner generating a missing “buzz” able to elevate what’s happening to an even higher level.
Enter Tiger Woods into the discussion.
The 15-time major champion is 48 years of age and will not turn 50 until December 30, 2025.
The star power of Woods is still apparent even though his best competitive days at the elite level are now in the rear-view mirror.
Recently the PGA Tour granted Tiger a lifelong pass into any of the newly created signature events because of his long-standing contributions to the sport. The tour’s leadership realized Tiger translates into a boost in gallery sizes and a curious television audience wanting to see what he can still do on the course.
Tiger’s burning competitive desire remains intact but it’s abundantly clear he no longer can play at the highest of levels. His 2019 Masters victory—his last win—appears even more distant.
However, the horizon for senior pro golf can see the outlines of a sunrise coming in the not-too-distant future.
Woods can be that savior.
Tiger has not publicly stated definitively what he sees himself doing when he turns 50. But Woods keeps his counsel closely guarded and has also not ruled out the prospect of playing senior golf either.
Woods has tried to return to the highest levels in pro golf but the results have been woeful. Tiger’s game plan was to simply play in the four major events and possibly a few others, but such a schedule has demonstrated he cannot play four rounds against the very best in the game now.
Simply making cuts has become the new norm. There’s also been the related issue of walking all 18 holes over multiple days for a 72-hole event.
Woods has mentioned his practice time is limited because of body fatigue from cumulative past surgeries and that lack of sharpness can be seen in the results. He also can’t play more than he has for fear his body will simply regress further.
One of the primary benefits of the Champions Tour is the allowance for power carts. This added element gives people with medical issues the opportunity to remain on the competitive scene.
Since his earliest days in competitive events, Woods has been interested in demonstrating his considerable golf skills. Age and surgeries have diminished his abilities but his star appeal remains intact.
Whenever Tiger has played—albeit sparingly—he has been the center of attention. Network television remains interested in him.
Being active with the Champions Tour provides Tiger a platform to remain in the public eye through competitive play without the higher bar of expectations he now faces against much younger players.
The Champions Tour also conducts events with just 54 holes so the physical toll is not as grueling as what Woods faces now. There’s also the reality that course preparations on the Champions are not as challenging as on the PGA Tour so scoring opportunities are more plentiful.
The overall atmosphere on the Champions Tour also likely benefits Tiger as he reunites with past rivals. Rekindling the kind of ebb and flow drama from past events albeit now in later years.
Woods remains golf’s central figure of prominence. His arrival on the pro golf scene in 1996 still carries clout. If he becomes active on the Champions Tour, the visibility of events will rise far beyond the current level.
Interestingly, the first U.S. Senior Open Woods is eligible to play would be contested in 2026 at Scioto CC just outside of Columbus, OH. A fitting venue for Tiger to win since young Jack Nicklaus started his involvement in golf there. Winning the Senior Open would also place Tiger atop the category for the most USGA Championships won in a career with 10.
The insatiable desire to win has driven Woods to an array of notable accomplishments that may never be matched—let alone topped.
The Champions Tour provides a second act. Providing a platform for Tiger to once again command center stage and help resurrect what is now a bland product.
Take an existing lemon and transform it into thirst-quenching lemonade.
A Tiger on the prowl does that and more.
