Tiger Woods delivers emotive speech as he cuts ribbon to open new TGR Lab

Tiger Woods touched down in Philadelphia on Monday to open his brand-new TGR Learning Lab at the Cobbs Creek Golf & Education campus.

Woods, 49, drew a huge crowd as he cut the ribbon on the state-of-the-art facility, which will now deliver after-school and summer programmes built around science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM). 

For the 15-time major champion, his latest project is all about shaping futures rather than simply lowering golf handicaps. 

"It’s an honor to be here to celebrate this moment with my Foundation and the kids we’re serving in West Philadelphia," said Woods. 

"I’m proud of my team and grateful to Cobbs Creek Foundation and everyone who has worked with us to make an impact in this community."

Woods added: "I didn’t start this foundation to produce golfers. I started the foundation to produce the greatest humans possible."

The new facility marks the second TGR Learning Lab in the United States, following the first in Anaheim, California. 

Its home at Cobbs Creek carries a personal touch for Woods as the course was once the stomping ground of his mentor, Charlie Sifford, the man who broke golf’s colour barrier on the PGA Tour.

The facility is already in demand. Open quietly since April, it has a waiting list of students eager to get in. Chris Maguire, chair of the Cobbs Creek Foundation, hailed the project as a model for the future. 

"Tiger created this model of opportunity beyond golf, providing students with access to education and mentorship resources that empower them for success in school, in the community, and in life," said Maguire. 

Philadelphia’s Mayor Cherelle Parker called it a game-changer for the city, while student mentor Saafiya Greshm summed up the excitement in the classroom: "We see students building their dreams in innovative design. It’s incredible."

Cobbs Creek Golf Course itself is undergoing a major transformation into a world-class public venue, with revenues earmarked to help sustain the Learning Lab. It’s a powerful symbol of how golf can fuel opportunity well beyond the fairways.

With the ribbon cut and the message delivered, Woods wasted no time moving on. 

By the afternoon, he was in New York City for the Nexus Cup, a high-profile event that unites golfers, celebrities and philanthropists in support of the TGR Foundation.

Woods' Nexus Cup is held annually at Liberty National Golf Club and the tournament combines two days of team-based golf competition with luxury experiences, including evening festivities at the NEXUS Club New York. 

It remains unknown at this stage whether Woods will rock up at Bethpage Black in New York from 26-28 September to support Keegan Bradley's Team USA at the Ryder Cup.

Woods has been heavily involved in Bradley's preparations according to GOLF, who last week reported the former World No.1 continues to play a key role in the skipper's planning for the Ryder Cup.

“Tiger is being consulted,” the source is quoted as saying. “And I know he feels like he’s a part of Keegan’s decisions and how he’s thinking about it, and Keegan has been hugely respectful of that.

“Without giving [Woods] an outsized role, I think it’s been balanced and kind of appropriate. He’s been sort of an informal advisor or Dutch uncle.”

Woods has remained on the sidelines ever since missing the cut at last year's Open Championship at Royal Troon.

He underwent surgery to repair a left Achilles tendon earlier this season and he is expected to return to the PGA Tour in 2026. 

Woods released a brand new Sun Day Red line of apparel last week, and it's the coziest collection yet.