Close friend of Tiger Woods reveals his "biggest problem" following recent talks

Tiger Woods' good friend Notah Begay III says the 15-time major champion is still very much eyeing up a record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour victory. 

Woods, 49, has not played in a professional golf event since the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. 

He missed all four major championships this year after rupturing his left achilles tendon in March and his comeback was delayed even further with his seventh back procedure of the past decade. 

Woods had disc replacement surgery in September after experiencing pain and discomfort in his lower back. 

He has not revealed if and when he will attempt to return to competitive action. 

Woods turns 50 next month and there is hope among his fans that he will jump in a golf cart and tee it up on the senior US circuit where the events are played over 54 holes. 

The senior majors are played over the traditional 72. 

His good friend, Begay III, told the most recent edition of the Straight Facts Homie podcast that he still believes Woods harbours a deep desire to win again and overtake Sam Snead. 

Both Woods and Snead have won 82 official PGA Tour events during their careers. 

"I never take anything away from the guy," Begay III said. "I think in his heart of hearts, 83 is a big number. It's an important number. 

"And I think there's a couple venues that I think could accommodate his current physical condition. 

"I think the biggest problem, in the conversations that I've had with him, is the walking. That's it.

"He hits it great, he's in tremendous physical condition. His ball speeds are fast enough, they're 175-180 which is adequate for the PGA Tour."

Begay III said there is a possibility that if Woods returns then he will attempt to play in the RBC Heritage or the Charles Schwab Challenge as Hilton Head and Colonial have flatter terrain that is easier on his back. 

"And those are venues that he's never typically played at," he said. "He's played Colonial once and never went back. And I don’t think he’s ever been to Hilton Head. 

"Those are two things that you may see at some point."

At one stage in his hall of fame career, Woods no doubt believed that he would leapfrog Jack Nicklaus with the most major championship victories. 

His former caddie Steve Williams previously revealed Woods was obsessed with breaking the record and the original target was 20, until they changed it to 21 because it was the looper's favourite number.  

Nicklaus won 18 major championships and also finished runner-up on 19 occasions.

Begay III said achieving 83 PGA Tour titles is the "more tangible" goal at this stage. 

"I think because the majors, there’s only four of them, and Augusta's one of the top three hilliest courses players walk all year," he said.  

"Maybe The Open Championship where distance is less of a consideration when you look at guys like Francesco Molinari, Brian Harman – not high ball or long ball hitters that have both walked away there with the Claret Jug.

"In one of the best shotmakers in the world in Tiger Woods, that might be the best fit that he would be looking for in terms of winning another major. 

"The cherry on top would be if it was another major and it would be 83. 

"He still wouldn’t get to 18, I think that's out of reach, but I still do think, in a perfect world, Ben Hogan did it on one leg, maybe Tiger can do it too."