[PHOTO: Oisin Keniry/R&A]
Ernie Els hopes he’ll have the opportunity to compete against Tiger Woods again next year on the PGA Tour Champions. He thinks the senior circuit would be a benefit to the 15-time major champion as well.
Els was asked about Woods earlier this week at the ground-breaking of an autism-friendly recreation complex at the Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida.
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“I’ve said, ‘Please come play.’ And I think it can only be beneficial to him,” the four-time major winner said, according to the Palm Beach Post. “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 ass back in shape.”
Woods didn’t make a PGA Tour start during the 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles in March. With his 50th birthday coming up in late December, the 82-time PGA Tour winner will be eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2026.
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Els, who has played on the PGA Tour Champions since 2020 and has seven wins on the senior circuit, famously finished runner-up to Woods at two majors in 2000 plus lost an epic duel with him at Kapalua that year. But while he’d be happy to reunite with Woods, he also issued a challenge to his long-time peer and rival.
“Beat us again… if you can,” Els said.
