Tiger Woods’ selective appearances on the PGA Tour have made any round shared with him a coveted experience. Top golfers, some among the world’s top ten, have yet to play in a group with this 15-time major champion. Wyndham Clark, for example, revealed in a post-TGL midweek interview that he has never shared a round with Woods.
However, an unexpected encounter unfolded at Florida’s Medalist Golf Club, where Denny McCarthy found himself in a surprising round with not just Woods, but also Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler.
Medalist Golf Club is a familiar training ground for PGA Tour stars, which is where McCarthy was aiming for some solo practice. However, a chance meeting with Thomas and Fowler led to an impromptu game. Discussing this unusual occurrence on the Subpar Podcast, McCarthy shared how he ended up in a round with three of golf’s biggest names.
Arriving at the club, exhausted and without a game plan, McCarthy was about to head home after some practice. As he was leaving, Thomas and Fowler showed up, mentioning they were about to play a round. Seizing the opportunity, McCarthy offered to join them, oblivious to the fact that the duo was actually scheduled to play with Tiger Woods.
The moment of realization came when Woods arrived at the range, placing his bag next to McCarthy’s. Suddenly, McCarthy found himself in a group he had inadvertently invited himself into, with the golfing legend himself, Tiger Woods.
Woods’ appearances have been scarce since undergoing yet another back surgery post the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. However, his participation in the TGL and the impressive ball-speed numbers he’s been hitting in the simulator league have been turning heads.
Fans are speculating about Woods’ potential return to the PGA Tour, especially after he had to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational due to the unfortunate passing of his mother, Kutilda. As we look ahead, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship seem like the most probable tournaments for Woods’ return. If not, The Masters could mark his first appearance in 2025.
Playing alongside Woods is a dream come true for any golfer, and for Denny McCarthy, it was a day at the Medalist Golf Club that turned into an unforgettable round with three of the sport’s biggest stars.
