Is Tiger Woods playing for the USA at 2024 Paris Olympics? Golfer’s schedule explored
Despite facing setbacks in Major competitions this year, Tiger Woods continues to be a name golf fans want to see. After failing to make the cut at The Open Championship in Scotland last week, many fans were interested in knowing when the 15-time Major winner would play next.
There were questions about whether Tiger Woods would play at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics since all Major championships this season have ended. But it won't be happening.
Since Tiger Woods is not ranked in the top 15, he did not qualify for the tournament directly. As per the qualification rules, if a country has more than four players in the top 15 of the world rankings, the four highest-ranked players qualify for the Olympics.
In this case, the four players who will represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympics are Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa.
Woods never played in the Olympics as golf was not part of the Summer Games for a long time. The sport has been played in only four editions - 1900, 1904, 2016 and 2020. Woods' prime was between 1996-2016 and while he could have competed at Rio Di Janerio, a back injury prevented him from doing the same. On the other hand, rankings kept him away from the Tokyo Games.
Xander Schauffele wants Tiger Woods to play as long as possible
After Colin Montgomerie suggested Tiger Woods must retire, the latter was quick to get back and said he would continue playing. While the comments from Woods received mixed reactions from fans, Team USA member Xander Schauffele backed the veteran superstar.
In a press conference at the Royal Troon Golf Club, Schauffele said he had heard the comments made by Colin Montgomerie. Through his statements, Schauffele made it clear that he did not agree with Colin. Backing Woods, Schauffele said:
“He (Tiger Woods) is still wearing that red on Sunday. I just heard some of those comments that were said by Colin (Montgomerie) and whether it's his honest opinion or not, the game of golf needs him desperately. Selfishly, I want him to play as long as possible.
"It just helps all the guys out here, just with the amount of eyeballs someone like Tiger Woods brings to golf… I think he's pretty honest with his own assessment, he’ll hang up when he feels he's ready and he's still gota lot of bite and a lot of fight in him.”
At The Open Championship, Woods failed to make the cut as he shot 79-77 in the first two rounds. However, Xander Schauffele, who backed Woods against the criticism, stood tall as he ended up winning The Open Championship, thus winning his second Major of the season.