Former world number one Tiger Woods reveals that he has no idea when he will be fit enough for a return as he continues his recovery from back surgery.
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Would he be surprised if he was nothing more than a host at the Hero World Challenge a year from now?
Woods, who had a small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve removed, said he didn’t know when he would return to the PGA Tour. I listen to my surgeon. Neither does my surgeon or my physio. There’s nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build towards.
He also spoke about his future outlook and said, “Where is [the] light at [the] end of [the] tunnel?”
Woods, who is known for his rigorous training regimes and being one of the fittest golfers on the PGA Tour, was asked what physical activity he’s able to do. “And I walk and I walk some more”. He has not swung a club since the surgery and said he didn’t know when he would do so again.
The tone in Woods’ voice invited questions of different kinds insinuating his playing days might be over sooner than later – an nearly unprecedented notion in a sport where its legends have to be practically dragged off the stage. “That’s how I pass a lot of my time”. “If that’s all it entails then I’ve had a pretty good run. But I’m hoping that’s not it. I really do miss it”. “But let me get to where I can pass the time and really be a part of my kids’ life in the way that I want to be part of it physically, not just as a cheerleader”.
Because of the back issues, the 39-year-old Woods played in only 11 events in 2015 after he managed to start only seven tournaments the previous year.
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Woods’ last start of the year came at the Wyndham Championship in August as part of a last-ditch effort to make the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
