PTI Podcast: "Can Tiger Woods Make A Comeback at the 2026 Masters?"
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon (with guests Rich Eisen, Justin Verlander)
Date: February 19, 2026
Episode Overview
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon debate the plausibility of Tiger Woods’ return to the 2026 Masters, break down the latest Winter Olympics action, highlight major college basketball upsets, discuss the evolving role of the starting pitcher with Justin Verlander, and touch on big moves in the MLB and NFL. The tone, as always, is playful, opinionated, and sharp, with memorable banter and insightful sports analysis.
Main Segments & Discussion Points
1. Winter Olympics Highlights (00:48–04:12)
- Mikaela Shiffrin’s Comeback
- Tony highlights Shiffrin breaking her 0-for-8 medal drought by winning the slalom, noting its significance given her struggles in recent Olympics.
- Quote: “By winning today, that throws all the psychoanalytical stuff out the window.” – Tony (02:46)
- Mike is impressed by Shiffrin’s longevity, noting she’s both the youngest and oldest Olympic winner in her event.
- The duo compares her perseverance to that of athletes like Maddox, Kershaw, Lindsey Vonn, and Chloe Kim.
- Men’s Hockey Drama
- Mike focuses on the US/Canada overtime thrillers, emphasizing the intensity and narrow victory margins.
- Quote: “Canada needs overtime to win in advance. And the United States is now in overtime... who knows what’s gonna happen.” – Mike (01:27)
2. College Basketball: Court Stormings & Controversies (04:12–07:15)
- Notable Results
- Michigan crushes Purdue; Miami of Ohio remains unbeaten; three major court stormings (Arizona State, Iowa, Rhode Island).
- Quote: “It’s a one in a thousand shot if Rhode Island storms after beating St. Louis.” – Tony (04:48)
- Mike highlights Miami of Ohio's rare undefeated status, referencing Indiana’s undefeated run 50 years ago.
- Mick Cronin Controversy
- UCLA’s coach sends his own player to the locker room for a flagrant foul (not ejected by refs), sparking debate.
- Quote: “You take the law into your own hands... egotism. I just lost this kid.” – Tony (05:43)
- Discussion of public coaching scrutiny (comparing to Kansas State’s recent firing of their coach), and if Cronin’s action signals sportsmanship or ego.
3. Golf: The Tiger Woods Comeback Debate (07:15–10:03)
- Is Tiger Woods’ Return Good for Golf or Too Painful to Watch?
- Mike, a lifelong Tiger devotee, says he no longer wishes to see him compete due to physical limitations. (07:38)
- Quote: “It’s over. And I don’t want to see Tiger... what body parts are actually his?” – Mike (08:11)
- Tony likens watching Tiger to seeing a scary movie: “If I watch this, I’m gonna watch it with my hands over my face...” (08:24)
- Both express concern for Tiger’s health but acknowledge his enduring draw—especially in formats like TGL (virtual golf).
- Quote: “He’s not actually playing. And that to me is Tiger right now.” – Tony (09:21)
4. Five Good Minutes: Justin Verlander Interview (12:28–19:10)
- On Returning to the Tigers
- Verlander reflects on changes since his last Detroit stint—both personally and in the organization.
- Quote: “Married, got two kids now... Life is well off outside of the field, which has really changed me... I try to be more present and enjoy the moments.” – Verlander (12:43)
- Notes the franchise rebuild and reconnecting with manager AJ Hinch.
- Mentoring Tarik Skubal
- Talks about their Cy Young bond; he’s careful not to intervene too much:
- Quote: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it... old dogs can still learn new tricks.” – Verlander (13:45)
- Adjusting Through Adversity
- Admits to tough stretches, mechanical adjustments, and the psychological toll of starting new spring trainings:
- Quote: “I haven’t been confident in a single spring training my entire career.” – Verlander (15:45)
- Finds camaraderie with other top pitchers who share Spring doubts.
- The Role of Starting Pitchers and the Analytics Era
- Laments analytics devaluing the starter’s role:
- Quote: “I think it’s something that needs to be addressed from Major League Baseball’s standpoint... managers manage the game, how guys are taught to go through the lineup.” – Verlander (16:49)
- Suggests he could expound for an entire episode.
- The (Elusive) 300 Wins Milestone
- At 266 wins (age 42), Tony asks if 300 wins motivates him.
- Quote: “I wouldn’t say it drives me... It’s for love of the game. Play until they rip the jersey off you.” – Verlander (18:04)
5. Rapid Fire: MLB, NBA, & NFL Headlines (21:42–25:16)
- David Stearns (Mets GM): Overhauls Met’s roster after disappointing seasons.
- NBA Flashback: Rasheed Wallace’s one-game Hawks appearance remembered.
- Injuries: Twins’ Pablo Lopez faces long recovery after a major elbow injury.
- NBA Updates: Orlando’s Franz Wagner out; Zach LaVine, Demontas Sabonis to miss season.
- Quote: “You have to be bionic now, don’t you?” – Mike (23:43)
- NFL: Mahomes restructures deal; Bears’ Caleb Williams aims to break scoring records; Seahawks sale discussed.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Tony, on Shiffrin: “She has more World Cup wins than any man or any woman of all time.” (02:17)
- Mike, on Tiger: “Tiger watching and obsessing over Tiger... The only things in my life I liked as much were Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.” (08:01)
- Tony, on Watching Tiger: “It’s a scary movie to me... every bone in his body is fused to another bone.” (08:24)
- Verlander, on Longevity: “Every old player I’ve talked to is like: Play until the wheels fall off, play until they rip the jersey off you.” (18:04)
Memorable Interactions
- Lighthearted Banter: Discussion of odd news stories and the cross-country rivalry between Rhode Island and St. Louis.
- Wilbon’s Reluctant Farewell: His emotional difficulty letting go of Tiger’s prime.
- Verlander’s Self-Deprecation: Open admission of nerves and self-doubt, despite a Hall of Fame career.
- Generational Reflection: Tony teases Verlander about being a “childhood idol” to players who aren’t even young anymore, drawing laughs.
Important Timestamps
- Winter Olympics Discussion: 00:48–04:12
- College Basketball/Cronin Debate: 04:12–07:15
- Tiger Woods Debate: 07:15–10:03
- Five Good Minutes with Justin Verlander: 12:28–19:10
- Rapid Fire (MLB/NBA/NFL): 21:42–25:16
Final Thoughts
Though Tiger Woods’ return prospects fuel the top headline, this episode stands out for its honest look at the challenges of athletic comeback stories, the shifting nature of sports roles (both players and managers), and the enduring love of competition. Verlander’s interview is both candid and relatable, setting the tone for a discussion on how sports legacies are forged and how fans, and athletes themselves, wrestle with the endings of iconic eras.