Tiger Woods still in favour of 'bifurcation' as he responds to universal golf rollback claim

Tiger Woods reiterated his preference would be bifurcation as he responded a report claiming that The R&A and USGA are expected to announce a universal golf ball rollback next week.

According to Golf Digest, the game’s governing bodies are set to change the rules in a bid to address a distance issue - and not just for elite players.

Speaking after completing his third round in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “This has been I guess the talk ever since I've been out on tour. And then to finally see it come to this point where I think both governing bodies who control the rules around the world are going to come to a collaborative understanding of how far…. we just doesn't have enough property anymore.

“So I think that understanding that yeah, we've been hammering the ball needs to slow down, but it has kept speeding up my entire time on career and here we are.”

Tiger Woods in action during the third round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas. Picture: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

Asked if that meant he backed what had been reported, the-15-time major winner added: “I've always been for bifurcation. I've always said that. Just like wood (baseball) bats and metal bats.”

It is being claimed that a period of bifurcated rules will come into effect in 2028 before all balls that conform to the Rules of Golf will be 15 yards shorter across the board at elite level two years later.

“Honestly, I haven't talked to any other player yet,” said Woods in reply to being asked what response he’d heard from others competing in his event this week. “I'm curious to see what the feedback is. I know the PGA Tour had their stance on it (opposing a universal roll back), but the ruling bodies are the ruling bodies.”

Woods, who is making his first appearance since April, was speaking after he’d signed for a third-round 71 for a level-par total at Albany. He’s 16 shots off the lead, held by world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, and joint-16th in a 20-man field but, under the circumstances, it’s shaping up to be a successful return to competitive action after he underwent ankle surgery earlier in the year.

“Generally as the week progresses my feel for pin high gets better and better each and every day,” he said. “I know the score doesn't indicate what I think I could have shot today, but it was definitely clearer than it was yesterday. The foot's not bothering me, but other parts are, yes.”

Scheffler, who has finished second to Viktor Hovland in the last two stagings, leads by three shots from Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick after they carded matching 65s.