Woods missed all four majors in a calendar year for the first time in 2016, and made just 11 tournament appearances in 2015. The 14-time major champions has been out of action since September 2015, when he underwent back surgery.
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As he prepares to make his return at the Oct 13-16 Safeway Open, that strong statement of intent may no longer be true.
“My hope is to have my game ready to go”, said former world number one Woods.
Love said last week that he expects Woods to provide inspiration for the USA team – and a focal point for fans still fascinated by the superstar.
Mickelson will also play in the Californian tournament and is eager to be partnered with his compatriot.
He also said he would take part in his Tiger Woods Invitational, a charity event for his foundation, October 10-11 on the Monterey Peninsula.
“It was hard missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn’t rush it”, said Woods, who will celebrate his 41st birthday in December. “But I missed competing”, added Woods. Then, Woods had a third back surgery in October.
Woods always used to say he would never tee it up in a golf tournament unless he thought he was capable of winning. “Obviously, it’s been this time I think he’s done it the right way by waiting and not coming back too soon. Nearly like his first career didn’t happen”.
Australian world number one Jason Day, preparing for this week’s BMW Championship in IN, told reporters on Wednesday he was glad to hear about Woods’ planned comeback.
“I am looking forward to seeing him play again, seeing what the state of his game is, how his body holds up, how the mental side and the golf side hold up as well”, Day said. I would love it.
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“It should take a few tournaments for him, but hopefully he gets it back pretty quickly and he can get back to, hopefully not to the old ways, but more so closer to the old ways and it would be fun to play against him when he’s at his best”. “He’s really great for the game”. The PGA Tour announced previous year that Safeway is the new title sponsor of the Safeway Open, formerly known as the Frys.com Open. That 10-year stretch of golf is the best stretch of golf we have ever seen on the planet by anyone. The five-year agreement runs through 2020 with the event, which is part of the FedExCup schedule, remaining at Silverado for the duration.
