Tiger Woods announces return to competition after long absence

If it feels prefer it’s been some time because you final noticed Tiger Woods hit a golf shot, that’s as a result of it has been some time. It’s been practically 4 months since his teary-eyed stroll up the 18th fairway at St. Andrews. That absence is coming to an finish, and Tiger followers want wait only a couple extra weeks. 

Woods is becoming a member of the restricted area in his personal occasion, the Hero World Challenge, later this month at Albany within the Bahamas, only one week prior to enjoying in one other version of The Match with teammate Rory McIlroy in opposition to Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

That formally makes the month of December “Tiger Woods Season.” Thank you for ready so patiently. Woods introduced the information Wednesday on Twitter, in addition to the additions of Kevin Kisner and Tommy Fleetwood to the 20-man lineup. 

This isn’t the primary time Woods has reappeared from a long absence on the Hero World Challenge. He has really used the occasion as a comeback kickstarter from numerous surgical procedures and accidents all through the final decade. In truth, it was at this occasion final yr the place Woods first actually began to present the place he was health-wise. He didn’t compete in 2021, however he did undergo a number of follow classes on the Hero World Challenge driving vary, displaying off full swings with 3-wood and driver. It definitely received Woods followers riled up simply in time to watch him and his son Charlie compete within the PNC Championship.

The final time we noticed Woods he was lacking the minimize at The Open at St. Andrews, a disappointing effort however extra emotional than something. Woods walked up the 18th on Friday to an unbelievable ovation from the trustworthy crowd and was choked up by the scene. Afterward, he talked about how he wasn’t certain if and when he’d have the ability to compete on the Old Course in a future Open. If anybody is aware of how a lot life can change within the span of 5 years, it’s Woods. 

That St. Andrews exit each was and was not a great instance of Woods’ season. He grinded to make the minimize in each the Masters in April and the PGA Championship in May, proving that regardless that it’s a hampered stroll to the end line, Woods nonetheless has the power to get a satisfactory rating in the home. His opening 71 at Augusta National and second-round 69 at Southern Hills have been two of essentially the most seen rounds all yr long. 

All of this brings us to marvel the place precisely Woods’ sport is at now. We’ve seen his stamina wane over the course of main championship weeks. But there was additionally nobody demanding that he play a 12-hole 2-on-2 match in opposition to Spieth and Thomas. If he’s ok for six days of golf within the Bahamas, adopted by extra competition the weekend prior, probably adopted by enjoying with Charlie within the PNC Championship, it might look like a constructive signal for his continued comeback to normalcy. 

Woods has mentioned and repeatedly reminded the general public that this new section of his post-car crash {golfing} life is not going to embody a full PGA Tour schedule. Even a majors-focused schedule took a again seat when Woods didn’t compete within the U.S. Open at Brookline. But the straightforward proof of life within the Bahamas hasn’t stopped followers from resetting impossibly excessive expectations up to now. During his 2017 comeback, Woods famously raced to the highest of the leaderboard on the Hero, stirring up conversations about whether or not or not he may return to his peak. 

What we all know now could be he’ll be competing on a course he is aware of properly in opposition to a area full of elite rivals. Kisner, ranked thirty first on the planet, is the lowest-ranked of Woods’ 19 rivals. If Woods can cling with that bunch, cue the countdown to the Masters. Here’s who will be a part of him within the area:

Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Jon Rahm
Justin Thomas
Collin Morikawa
Will Zalatoris
Matt Fitzpatrick
Viktor Hovland
Sam Burns
Jordan Spieth
Tony Finau
Billy Horschel
Hideki Matsuyama
Cameron Young
Sungjae Im
Max Homa
Tom Kim
Kevin Kisner
Tommy Fleetwood