Tiger Woods Unveils Reason for Skipping Travelers Championship Amid PGA Tour’s $20M Bombshell

Golf legend Tiger Woods has finally broken his silence on why he has never competed in the Travelers Championship, a PGA Tour event held annually at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. The revelation, which comes in the wake of the PGA Tour’s decision to elevate the tournament to a $20 million Signature Event, has stunned fans and analysts alike. Woods’ explanation sheds light on his career choices and personal priorities, while the tour’s bold move underscores the evolving landscape of professional golf.

In a candid interview, Woods, the 82-time PGA Tour winner, revealed that his absence from the Travelers Championship was a deliberate decision rooted in scheduling conflicts and physical preservation. “The Travelers has always been a great event, but it falls right before the British Open,” Woods explained. “Early in my career, I prioritized majors and needed to acclimate to links golf. Later, with injuries, I had to pick my spots carefully.” The 15-time major champion emphasized that the grueling nature of the PGA Tour schedule, combined with his injury-plagued career, forced him to skip certain tournaments to focus on peak performance at Grand Slams. The Travelers, despite its prestige, was often sacrificed to ensure Woods was at his best for the Open Championship.

Woods’ decision was also influenced by his reluctance to accept sponsor exemptions, a practice he avoided to maintain competitive integrity. Posts on X from longtime volunteers at the Travelers Championship corroborate this, noting that Woods consistently declined exemptions, opting instead to prepare for the British Open. “I wanted to earn my way into fields,” Woods said, reflecting his ethos as a competitor. This stance, while admirable, meant fans in Connecticut never saw the golfing icon compete at TPC River Highlands, even as he dominated the sport in the 2000s.

The PGA Tour’s decision to designate the Travelers Championship as a Signature Event with a $20 million purse in 2023 has added a new layer to Woods’ absence. The elevated status, which guarantees fields featuring top players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, has transformed the tournament into a must-play for elite golfers. In 2024, the tour further solidified Woods’ access to such events by granting him a lifetime achievement exemption for Signature Events, recognizing his 82 career wins. However, Woods, now 49, did not compete in the 2025 Travelers Championship, citing ongoing recovery from an Achilles injury sustained in March 2025. His appearance at the event was limited to a ceremonial role, welcoming new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.

The $20 million decision has sparked debate about whether Woods might reconsider his stance in future years, health permitting. Despite his exemption, Woods’ limited schedule—only nine PGA Tour events since his 2021 car accident—suggests a return is unlikely. His focus remains on major championships, with plans to compete in the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Troon, potentially his final start of the year.

Woods’ revelation has humanized his strategic approach to a career defined by dominance and resilience. Fans, while disappointed, respect his choices, especially in light of his physical challenges, including multiple back surgeries and a recent Achilles rupture. The PGA Tour’s financial boost to the Travelers Championship highlights its growing stature, but for Woods, the event remains a road not taken. As he navigates the twilight of his career, his legacy endures, with or without a tee shot in Cromwell.