Woods hopes to be a winner in another comeback
TIGER Woods makes another return to competitive golf this week and despite 10 months on the sidelines recovering from a fourth back surgery, the 14-time major winner’s goal remains the same – to win.
While Wood s’ s famous competitive fires continue to rage the former world number one conceded he may have to temper his expectations at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
He takes on an elite 18-player field that includes eight of the top 10 in the current world rankings.
“I just really want to be able to compete this week, play all four days and give myself a chance on the back nine on Sunday to win this thing,” a relaxed and smiling Woods told a news conference on Tuesday from the Albany Club.
“I don’t know where I’m at, I don’t know how hard I can hit, what shots can I play. I don’t know what the future entails in that regard because I am still learning this body.”
This mark s the third time Woods, 41, has attempted a comeback at the Hero World Challenge, the charity event he hosts.
Just last year Woods made a similar return at the Hero following a 16-month hiatus for previous back surgeries and the initial reports were upbeat after he completed four rounds.
Yet two months later he succumbed to more back pain and returned to the operating table.
Woods, however, insists it is different this time.
“I was still struggling with some nerve issues down my leg when I came back at Isleworth (the previous venue for the event), last year I was the same but it was not where it’s at now,” said Woods. “It’s different than my prior two comebacks at this event. Last year I was still struggling a nd this year is night and day.” — AFP