Tiger Woods schedule: Why we’re unlikely to see Tiger Woods until British Open

Tiger Woods hasn’t officially confirmed much about his upcoming schedule — but he’s certainly dropped some hints. And after finishing Sunday’s final round at the U.S. Open, he hinted that we may not see him in competitive action for a while.

Woods had a decidedly up-and-down week at Pebble Beach, typified by his final round, in which he bogeyed four of the first six holes before playing the last 12 holes in 6 under. That left him at 2-under 282 for the week, good for a T21 finish, 11 shots behind winner Gary Woodland.

For Woods, the strong finish was encouraging even if the result was ultimately disappointing at a course where he has so much history. “Just because I got off to a bad start doesn’t mean it’s over. Keep grinding, keep playing,” he said afterwards.

But now that he’s done at Pebble, when will we see Woods next?

“Depends, if you’ve got a camera phone…no, I think I’m going to take a little bit of time off and enjoy some family time,” he said with a laugh. His answer proved prophetic — hardly a day had passed before Woods and his family were spotted in Thailand wearing yellow. Woods’ mother, Tida, is from Thailand, which is where she first met Tiger’s father, Earl, when he was stationed there in 1966.

After Woods returns from his family trip, work awaits. Specifically, that means British Open prep for a July date at Royal Portrush.

“It’s just trying to wind down from the championship as well as my lifts and getting back into it. And I know that Florida will not be the same temperature as Northern Ireland. I’m not going to be practicing with any sweaters at home, but it will be nice to get to Portrush and get with it again,” he said, adding that he’ll have a course-specific focus to his pre-tournament time.

“I’ve only played County Down, I’ve never been up to Portrush, and I’m looking forward to getting up there and taking a look at the golf course and trying to figure out…I hope that my practice rounds are such that we get different winds, especially on a golf course that I’ve never played, and to get a different feel how it could play for the week. And definitely have to do my homework once I get there.”

None of that sounds particularly like the words of a man who intends to play in Detroit or Minnesota for the PGA Tour’s next two events, despite the hopes of tournament organizers in each city.

“There’s always a chance; we’re optimistic,” Jason Langwell, the executive director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, told The Detroit News two weeks ago. “We’d like to think we’re well-positioned.”

“He would have been a nice addition to it,” 3M Open executive director Hollis Cavner told the Minnesota Star-Tribune after the U.S. Open, sounding resigned. “Hope he enjoys the vacation time with his family.”

Fans of the Irish and Scottish Opens were hoping he’d appear in the weeks before the British to acclimate himself to the playing conditions. Need any more hints? Here was the final exchange in his post-round meeting with the press at Pebble Beach.

Q. Will you play again before Portrush?

Woods: I’ll play at home, yeah.

Point taken! The question then turns to where Woods will tee it up after the British Open. Here would be his options.

TIGER WOODS’ SCHEDULE, NEXT TOURNAMENTS

If he plays all of our “Yes” guesses, that will mean five tournaments in six weeks.

WGC-FEDEX ST. JUDE INVITATIONAL OPEN, July 25-28

YES. This is a Presidents Cup captain looking to cement his status as playing captain. He played WGC-Mexico. He’s unlikely to skip this one, unless, say, he wins the British.

WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP, Aug. 1-4

NO. No.

THE NORTHERN TRUST, Aug. 8-11

YES. If there were still four FedEx Cup playoff events, I think he’d skip one. Less chance now.

BMW CHAMPIONSHIP, Aug. 15-18

YES. He’ll be in the top 70, and he’ll play.

TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

YES. The defending champ! He’ll be back.