“He is 24. He’ll most likely be larger than Elvis when he turns 40.”

Woods turned 42 on Saturday. He is nonetheless no taller than Jack Nicklaus in terms of the final word commonplace in golf most majors have gained.

However he is nonetheless Tiger, and meaning lots.

He attracts extra consideration than the large champions nearly half his age. And that is why Woods, who makes golf’s staple TV when he performs, leads the checklist of 5 questions to contemplate for 2018.

The query was not a lot totally different a yr in the past.

Woods returned to the Hero World Problem after a 15-month restoration from two extra again surgical procedures, and his 24 birdies made it greater than ending fifteenth towards an 18-man discipline in an unofficial vacation occasion. When the brand new yr began he lasted three rounds in two tournaments and was out once more.

This time he is simply getting back from fusion surgical procedure on his decrease again. Most notable within the Bahamas final month was his energy, and Woods stated in a current weblog that he was hitting a full membership longer than earlier than. The quantity of golf he performed previous to his return provides to the best degree of optimism – not the rating, however the firm. Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, and Daniel Berger all performed with Woods and cherished what they noticed.

The measure would be the full program he needs to play, though he hasn’t stated what or the place will probably be. And if his well being is as sturdy as he suggests, golf will obtain a full dose of Woods within the majors for the primary time since 2015.

The People have not gained the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993, two months after Jordan Spieth was born.

The People gained the final Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, and so they begin 2018 with the highest three gamers on the earth rankings and 5 of the highest eight. Which means they are going to be favored on paper, and most American golf fans will probably be dismissive of Europe’s possibilities.

Essentially the most related query is who’s going to Paris for the matches?

A lot consideration will probably be paid to Phil Mickelson, who has not missed any crew competitors since 1993 and who’s determined to take part within the subsequent one. He hasn’t gained since 2013 and was the captain’s alternative for the Presidents Cup.

The People gained 14 gamers of their 20s on the PGA Tour final yr, and 6 of them had been on the Presidents Cup squad. Probabilities will not be that each one of these six will probably be in France, and US captain Jim Furyk may need some powerful selections for his picks.

This summer time, the PGA Tour will herald a serious overhaul of a schedule that has been predicted for years.

That is the final PGA Championship in August earlier than transferring to Might in 2019. The variety of PGA Tour occasions to finish Labor Day on the FedEx Cup will not be a problem with dropping an occasion. playoff (Boston), transfer an occasion to fall (Greenbrier) and probably convert one to a world golf championship (Memphis).

The toughest half is determining the place the whole lot else goes.

It begins in March, which presently contains two golf world championships (Mexico, Match Play) and subsequent yr provides the gamers’ championship. One thing must give. As well as, title sponsorships should be resolved for the Houston Open and probably Colonial.

For the primary time since 2009, Rory McIlroy is coming into a brand new yr outdoors the world prime 10. Attribute this to lingering accidents that satisfied him to take a protracted hiatus late final yr to get his well being and play so as.

He could have spent greater than three months with out competitors upon his return to Abu Dhabi, the beginning of an bold schedule wherein he’ll play eight occasions earlier than arriving at Augusta Nationwide.

Golf ought to have a good suggestion by then if McIlroy is again within the dialog.

Justin Thomas has stated he would love nothing higher than to begin every year in Kapalua.

Pretty much as good as it’s, there aren’t any ensures.

Solely 9 gamers from the 32-man squad final yr returned to begin 2018. Among the many lacking are Jason Day, who began final yr at No.1, and Bubba Watson, absent from the Sentry Event of Champions for the primary time. occasions in 4 years. Spieth missed the sport in 2015. Rickie Fowler was not in Kapalua final yr.

There have been 14 first-time winners final yr on the PGA Tour. It isn’t simpler to win.

This additionally applies to Woods.