Why LIV Golf should be extremely worried if Tiger Woods plays a full PGA Tour Champions schedule in 2026

December 2025 will be a significant month in the golfing world as it will see Tiger Woods’ 50th birthday – making the 15-time major champion eligible for PGA Tour Champions.

Of course, there is a huge question mark hanging over when Tiger Woods will play again. He has not teed it up in a single PGA Tour tournament in 2025.

Woods suffered a ruptured Achilles in the weeks leading into The Masters. Meanwhile, he recently underwent back surgery.

He is clearly not going to play PGA Tour Champions if he does not believe that he can compete. But crucially, Woods can use a cart on the Senior Tour.

All eyes on whether Tiger Woods decides to play PGA Tour Champions

Notah Begay believes walking is Woods’ main issue. So it would be a big boost if he did not have to worry about how many steps he would get in during a tournament.

It would also be helpful that PGA Tour Champions events are generally played over 54 holes.

Certainly, many of his peers hope to see Woods playing on PGA Tour Champions.

“It would be a thrill to see Tiger come out and play the Champions Tour, and I’m convinced he will play several. Depends how many. I’m going to gradually get older and older here, and I may not be at the very top of my game when he comes out, but he always moves the needle. He’s a very exciting personality to watch, and it would be fantastic for Tiger and for our tour to be competing out there, and I think all the players would welcome him.”

Bernhard Langer

“I’ve said, please come play. And I think it can only be beneficial to him. He will get himself in golf shape. You can ride a cart without any shame and if there was one guy that should be able to drive a cart, it’s him… and he can get his a** back in shape.”

Ernie Els

“I think it would be super for the [PGA Tour Champions] if Tiger is able to play. Great for sponsors, tv, etc. And we will all begin our rounds looking for his name on the board. Where is he? Do we have a chance? Hopefully we do, but maybe not.”

Colin Montgomerie

But while Woods playing regularly again is fantastic for the entire golfing landscape, there is a chance that such a scenario would do LIV Golf no favours at all.

Rory McIlroy noted that LIV’s momentum has stalled in recent years. It definitely does appear that the PGA Tour has now weathered the storm and established itself as, by far, the strongest stage for the world’s best golfers.

And you would have to think that LIV will lose some of its audience if they have the opportunity to watch Woods play regularly elsewhere.

How many LIV Golf events will be competing with PGA Tour Champions tournaments in 2026

LIV have confirmed the dates of 11 of their events for 2026. And nine of those events are taking place on the same weekend as a PGA Tour Champions tournament.

LIV Golf Mexico City will be played the same week as the Senior PGA Championship, while LIV Golf UK will be up against the Senior Open at Gleneagles.

Obviously, the PGA Tour will probably also suffer if Woods is playing on another tour. However, they begin the year in a much stronger position than LIV.

They will also reap the rewards if Woods gets himself into a condition physically to compete away from the Senior Tour.

You would imagine that LIV will argue that their own move from 54 to 72 hole events is an example of the league listening to their fans and players.

But it would not be the best look for LIV if PGA Tour Champions really does thrive with their own 54 hole tournaments.

If Woods plays even a part-time schedule, it is not out of the question for PGA Tour Champions to become the second biggest tour in the men’s game.

That really would be an ominous sign for LIV Golf’s future.