When asked about a timescale for any return, Woods replied: “I have no answer for that”.
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Tiger Woods has said everything that happens from now on in his golf career will be a bonus. So where is the light at the end of the tunnel? He played only seven events in 2014 and 15 in 2015.
Most opponents were beaten before they’d even teed off as Woods cast his spell of magic on the course and played shots no-one else could.
Woods, who has had two operations on his back in the past two months, was asked what it has been like watching Lakers star Kobe Bryant in his final season in the National Basketball Association.
The Northern Irishman posted a photo of the pair together on Instagram, and wrote: “Wishing my idol and friend a speedy recovery”.
“We think it changes the culture a little bit, an expectation that you move your schedule around a little bit, ” Finchem said at Albany Golf Club, where the Hero World Challenge begins on Thursday.
Here is hoping that Woods can simply get back to where he needs to be to function every day, and enjoy his family.
He has already been named a vice-captain of the United States Ryder Cup team against Europe at Hazeltine next September.
“I would like to be able to get to that first”, he said.
True, Woods has been written off by a lot of people, but he never, ever used to sound like he was writing off himself, as he did at times during his press conference Tuesday. If that’s all it entails then I’ve had a pretty good run.
Having spiralled to No. 400 less than two years after finishing 2013 at the top of the world rankings, Woods was melancholy – but realistic – about his condition. He went all of five tournaments into 2001, with two T13 finishes his worst results, before going back-to-back-to-back at Bay Hill, The Players Championship, and Augusta.
Well, let me give you a small re-cap of Woods’ career: Fourteen major championships, including four in a row.
As for those concerned about whether or not Tiger will win another major tournament, who cares?
“I’ve passed Jack [on the] all-time win list, just shy of Sam [Snead]”. To see what those guys sustain their level of excellence for that long a period of time in their respective sports is far harder than what I’m doing in golf.
“For my 20 years out here I achieved a lot”, he added.
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Woods, preparing to host the event outside America for the first time in 19 years set aside all optimism and said, “There is no timetable”. I am not even delving into his money titles, Player of the Year awards, and Vardon Trophies, nor his spectacular amateur career, or how he transcended the sport of golf like no other since Arnold Palmer. “It takes a toll”.
