Tiger Woods already struggling to meet 2024 PGA Tour aim after confirming Nike split

Tiger Woods had originally intended to play once a month in 2024, but it looks the 15-time major winner will miss the remainder of January.

Tiger Woods’ proposal to play on the PGA Tour once a month starting in 2024 is expected to fail at the first hurdle.Woods was forced to switch to a part-time schedule in the last few years due to a vehicle accident in February 2021 that left him with potentially fatal injuries.

Woods only finished in third place three times in 2023; his only other finish came at the Masters in April of last year, when he had an ankle injury mid-round. The 15-time major winner was out for eight months due to the problem before making a comeback at the Hero World Challenge last month.

In an attempt to increase his playing schedule after three years of fitness problems, Woods announced plans to play once a month starting at the beginning of the year before making his return in The Bahamas.

But it looks like the 82-time PGA Tour champion will miss January. With Woods absent from the American Express or Farmers Insurance Open entry lists, the circuit began play at The Sentry last week, and it appears that the 48-year-old will make his debut in February.

Woods indicated he would postpone his comeback until the following month when he announced he had severed his 27-year partnership with Nike Golf.Since going professional in 1996, Woods has been associated with Nike, emerging as one of the company’s most recognisable sportsmen.

In 2024 however he will compete without the famous swoosh on his chest, announcing the news in an emotional statement on Monday. “Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” he wrote on X.

“I could go on forever describing the incredible moments and experiences that have occurred in the days since. This alliance between Nike and Nike Golf was made possible by the vision and passion of [former Nike CEO] Phil Knight,” Woods said.

“I want to personally thank him, along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.” In an apparent reference to his upcoming return at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles next month, Woods continued to inform the fans where they might next see him.

The five-time green jacket winner has strong links with the event, having been named tournament host back in 2017. One of Woods’ three outings in 2023 came at Riviera last year, finishing the week in a tie for 45th after posting one-under-par across his four rounds.

If Woods is to return to his one-event-a-month plan moving forward, March could see him return to TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship. April then of course brings the Masters, before the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship follow in May, June and July.

Post-major season it remains to be seen what Woods’ plans will be. There is no doubt the American will have his eyes set on the FedEx Cup playoffs in August, but playing a limited schedule will mean he will more than likely have to add win No. 83 to his record if he is to make the season-ending cut.