PGA: Winless Woods looks at 2018 as one of the best years of his career

PARAMUS, N.J.— If you were to place Tiger Woods’ 2018 season in the middle of his heyday years, when he was racking up wins, majors and player of the year awards at an alarming rate, the old Tiger would have been the first to tell you it was a disappointing season, especially since he is winless in 14 starts.

But today’s Tiger will tell you it’s one of the best years he’s ever produced.

“No doubt. No doubt,” Woods said Tuesday as he prepared for Thursday’s opening round of the Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club, the first of four events in the FedExCup Playoffs. “To go through what I’ve gone through ... I didn’t know if I was going to play last year.”

After three previous procedures to his back, Woods had a “lastditch effort,” he said, to regain his way of life, to play with his kids again and maybe tee it up with his buddies. Two bones were fused in his spine last April and he slowly rebuilt his health, a battle that was joined by a fight against prescription drug medication, which he conquered.

After wondering if he’d ever play golf again, let alone on the PGA Tour, Woods has turned in a comeback for the ages.

He was 1,199th in the official world rankings last year before he played in the Hero World Challenge, a soft opening to start his comeback.

After 14 starts on the PGA Tour, he’s ranked 26th.

He tied for sixth at the British Open and was second in the PGA Championship, his most recent start.

“This has been, as I’ve said before, this has been a blessing, but man, it’s been so special to have this opportunity again,” Woods said. “It’s taken me months to get my playing feels and make my adjustments ...

“I feel my next wins are coming soon. How soon, I don’t know, but I’m putting myself there in tournaments now.”