Tiger Woods revealed in an interview Monday with Golf Digest news no golf fan wants to hear: He has no plans to return to playing the sport full-time.
Woods – whose interview with Golf Digest was his first since his car crash in February – posted a video on November 21 on his social media hit the golf ball. That has fans very excited about Woods’ possible return to the PGA Tour. Fans now have their answers about his return to professional golf.
“I think something realistic is doing the tour on a date – never full time, never repeat – but pick and choose, like Mr (Ben) Hogan did. Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around,” Woods said. “You practice around that, and you prepare yourself for that. I think that’s how I’ll have to play it from now on. It’s an unfortunate fact, but it’s my reality. And I understand that, and I accept it.”
THAN: Tiger Woods posts first video of him hitting the ball since his car accident
Woods revealed in his interview that he is still recovering from consecutive open fractures in both the upper and lower parts of the tibia and fibula in his right leg, where he was in a car accident last month. Two. He has gradually improved since then. At first, he was allowed to use a putter, which he had to stretch because he couldn’t stand as well as he used to. He was then allowed to do limited swing exercises, which led to him posting the swing video. However, Woods said he still has a long way to go before he can return to the PGA Tour even if only in limited numbers.
“I have a long way to go… I’m not even halfway there yet,” Woods said. “I have a lot of muscle growth and nerve growth that I have to do in my legs. Also, as you know, I’ve had five back surgeries. So I have to deal with that. So when the legs are stronger, the back can sometimes work. … It is a difficult road.
“But I’m just happy to be able to go out there and watch Charlie play, or go into the backyard and an hour or two alone with no one to talk to, no music, nothing. I just heard the birds chirping. That part I missed a lot.”
THAN: Tiger Woods discusses impact injuries, updates on how to recover
Charlie is Woods’ 12-year-old son who attended golf school. Woods has been seen at several of Charlie’s golf tournaments this year.
Woods will appear in public for the first time since his crash this week at the World of Heroes Challenge he hosted. He is due to speak to the media on Tuesday ahead of the tournament in the Bahamas. So it looks like Woods’ recovery is progressing. But there is still no clear indication of when, or whether Woods will return to the PGA Tour. The Masters – the biggest golf tournament Woods has won – is scheduled for April 4-10, 2022.
THAN: Things to know about Tiger Woods’ surgery and recovery after a car accident
“There is a lot to look forward to, a lot of hard work to get done – be patient and progress at a positive but not overwhelming pace. Obviously, when I go to the gym and I bleed and the endorphins kick in, I want to go, go, go,” Woods said. “That’s how I was able to win so many tournaments. But then, at what cost do people repeat me?
“Look at you. will do everything I can.”
