COURSE NATURE OF
With new outlook, Tiger savors time back on the links
THERE was a time when Tiger Woods was dominating golf like no one ever had, and the game needed him. Now it’s Woods who needs the game more than it needs him. Funny how life sometimes turns out. Woods, who used to loathe team events like the Presidents Cup, now embraces them as some of the most important events on his calendar, because it provides him his only lifeline to the game he’s unable to compete in for the moment — and maybe forever.
That makes this week’s 12th Presidents Cup at Liberty National, which begins with Thursday’s f irst session, so special for Woods. He gets to hang around with the guys as one of Steve Stricker’s assistant captains.
Wednesday, in his first public comments since his Memorial Day arrest in Florida for driving under the influence, Woods spoke with a degree of uncertainty about the future of his playing career, stating that he hopes to come back and play competitively again, but …
“I don’t know what my future holds for me,’’ Woods said.
In April, Woods had fusion surgery on his back (his fourth back procedure), and in May, he was roused from a drug-induced stupor after he was found by police asleep behind the wheel of his running car on the side of the road.
It was found that Woods was not abusing alcohol, but a number of painkillers were found in his system. He later acknowledged entering a rehab facility to help with his problem with painkillers.
More recently, naked photos of him that were hacked from his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Vonn’s phone emerged on the internet. So it’s been a rough few months for the 14-time major champion, and he hasn’t even carded a double bogey in competition.
“There were times when ... I didn’t know if I was going to be able to be here because I couldn’t ride in a cart,’’ Woods said, referring to his back problems. “Driving a car still hurt. So that’s all gone now, which is fantastic. And yeah, there were some [uncertain] times, not just for this golf tournament but for life going forward.’’
Woods last week released a statement on his website in which he said he has started hitting 60-yard shots, but was not yet cleared by doctors to hit full shots.
“My timetable is based on what my surgeon said,’’ Woods said. “Overall, I’m very optimistic how I’m progressing. The pain’s gone, but I don’t know what my golfing body is going to be like because I haven’t hit a golf shot yet. So that’s going to take time to figure that out and figure out what my capabilities are going forward. And there’s no rush.’’
It seems like yesterday when Woods didn’t need a soul other than his own. He was so insular, so selfishly driven by the career goals he was determined to achieve, he was ready and willing to step on — or over — anyone to do it.
Now, Woods is warm and almost cuddly by comparison, desperate to be one of the guys. Now, unable to play because of his back problems and publicly shamed from his arrest, Woods is desperate for the camaraderie. He called being here this week “pure enjoyment about the competition [and] being with the guys.’’
Word from the U.S. players at last year’s Ryder Cup was how helpful, involved and invested Woods was as an assistant captain to Davis Love III. Those same players are stoked to have him back this week.
Rickie Fowler: “He’s going to love being around all the guys this week, being able to hang out. He’s a great asset to the team. We’re happy to have him, and I know he’s excited to be here as well.’’
Kevin Chappell: “He’s been unbelievable, very engaging, very motivating and quick to give advice and offer help when needed.’’
Daniel Berger: “He’s the greatest player of all time, so when he talks, you listen. There’s a presence when you’re around him, you can feel like something’s in the air and it’s just cool to be a part of that.’’
Phil Mickelson, who’ s competed against Woods for more than two decades, summed up Woods2.0 best: “It’s been fun for guys like myself and other guys on the team to get to know him. I mean, I competed against him, many guys looked up to him and watched him win, but it’s an opportunity as he’s opened up over the last five or six years to really get to know him on a different level. It’s been fun.’’ mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com