Tiger rules out fulltime return
‘I don’t have to compete and play against the best players in the world to have a great life’
TIGER WOODS has ruled out a fulltime return to professional golf but says he is still intent on playing tour events as he continues his recovery from a lifethreatening car accident. Woods had completed a remarkable recovery from back surgery to win his 15th major title at the Masters in 2019 but effectively dismissed the possibility of a repeat.
“I don’t have to compete and play against the best players in the world to have a great life,” Woods told Golf Digest.
“After my back fusion, I had to climb Mount Everest one more time. I had to do it, and I did.
“This time around, I don’t think I’ll have the body to climb Mount Everest and that’s OK.
“I can still participate in the game of golf. I can still, if my leg gets OK, click off a tournament here or there.
“But as far as climbing the mountain again and getting all the way to the top, I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation of me.
“I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one day – never fulltime, ever again – but pick and choose, just like Ben Hogan did. Pick and choose a few events a year and play around that.
“It’s been a hell of a road, it’s been a long one and a sore one but I’m making some really positive strides,” Woods added.
“I’ve had some really tough days and some setbacks here and there, but overall everything is progressing nicely.
“I just wish I could do everything that I used to do but I’m not quite there yet.”
Woods is scheduled to hold his first press conference since the accident at the Hero World Challenge event in Albany today.
However, he cautioned against his return to public life being construed as a signal that he is nearing the start of his latest comeback attempt.
“I have so far to go – I’m not even at the halfway point,” added Woods. – The
Independent