A Tiger return at the Masters not out of question

When Tiger Woods spent about 20 minutes talking with the media last Tuesday in his role as host of the Genesis Invitational at waterlogged Riviera Country Club, he did what a good host does.

He opened doors.

To possibly playing in the Masters in April. To potentially being the next American Ryder Cup captain. To confirming that major changes are coming to the PGA Tour schedule as early as next year.

The most surprising nugget Woods dropped was the possibility of him teeing it up at Augusta National this year for the Masters. Due to various physical problems, the most recent being disc-replacement surgery last year, Woods has made just 10 PGA Tour starts in the last four years and none since the 2024 Open Championship 19 months ago.

Asked directly if playing in the Masters this year is off the table, Woods said, “No.” Then he smiled. READ MORE

“It was cool to get up to the champions locker room and see my nameplate alongside the other two champions that I share a locker with. … Different feels the first time staying on site without having to need a member there. There's a lot of perks you get with being a champion.”

Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, on a recent visit to Augusta National.

Kieran Cleeves, Augusta National

Rea replaced on PGA Tour Policy Board

PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. has been serving in what appears to be a notably diminished role since last September’s Ryder Cup, when he came under fire for multiple public missteps, including his failure to apologize to the European team for fans’ untoward behavior at Bethpage Black.

Rea is no longer listed as a member of the PGA Tour Inc. Policy Board, having been replaced by PGA vice president Nathan Charnes, The Quadrilateral newsletter observed last Wednesday; the tour subsequently confirmed to Golfweek that Rea is no longer a member of either the PGA Tour Inc. or PGA Tour Enterprises boards. Rea was also conspicuously absent from the news release announcing Terry Clark as the PGA’s new CEO earlier this month, with Charnes being quoted instead.

In response to speculation regarding Rea’s status, the PGA issued a statement:

“As has been observed, PGA of America President Don Rea’s responsibilities are now aligned to member-first priorities for the remainder of his term. He will focus on board leadership, governance, section engagement and initiatives that directly support PGA of America Golf Professionals and reinforce the grassroots foundation of the Association. With the recent CEO leadership transition complete and a new president taking office this fall, these changes reflect the Board’s commitment to governance clarity, leadership alignment and sustained momentum for the Association.” READ MORE

Wasserman owner seeks single-unit sale

Providence Equity Partners, the majority owner of the Wasserman talent agency that represents several prominent tour pros, said in a statement to Sports Business Journal last Wednesday that it hopes to sell the agency as one unit and is not considering a breakup of the company.

Agency founder Casey Wasserman said in a memo to employees earlier this month that he had begun the process of selling the agency following revelations of his past ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Calls from Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and others for Wasserman to step down as chairman of the 2028 L.A. Olympics organizing committee have since mounted.

The Wasserman agency’s golf clients include Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Nelly Korda, Cam Smith, Viktor Hovland and Jason Day. READ MORE

Tap-Ins

Rory McIlroy will skip this week’s Cognizant Classic in favor of a trip to Augusta National to prepare for his Masters title defense. READ MORE

Justin Thomas will return to competitive golf today following November microdiscectomy surgery, competing for Atlanta Drive GC in a TGL doubleheader. READ MORE

Augusta National’s par-4 17th hole will be extended from 440 to 450 yards, increasing the total course yardage to 7,565 yards for this year’s Masters, the club announced. READ MORE

Lucas Glover has been elected PGA Tour Player Advisory Council chairman for 2026, the tour announced last Wednesday. READ MORE

Compiled by Mike Cullity