LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Tiger Woods has dominated out making a full-time return to skilled golf as he works his method again from career-threatening leg accidents.
The 15-time main winner advised Golf Digest in an interview printed on Monday that though he’s assured of finally making a return to the game, he anticipated he would solely play choose tournaments to any extent further.
The 45-year-old former world primary suffered compound fractures in his proper leg after a automobile he was driving in a Los Angeles suburb in February veered off the street and flipped a number of occasions.
Earlier than the accident, Woods was already taking part in a lowered schedule following a number of surgical procedures on his again and knee through the years.
He advised Golf Digest on Monday that his days as a full-time member of the PGA Tour have been now successfully over, saying he now anticipated to “decide and select” occasions in future. “I believe one thing that’s life like is taking part in the Tour sooner or later – by no means full time, ever once more – however decide and select,” Woods mentioned.
“Decide and select just a few occasions a 12 months and also you mess around that. “I believe that is how I’ll should play it to any extent further. It is an unlucky actuality, but it surely’s my actuality. And I perceive it, and I settle for it.”
Woods generated buzz earlier this month after posting a video on Twitter of himself hitting balls, with the caption “Making progress.”
Woods, who accomplished a fairytale return from again fusion surgical procedure to seize his fifteenth main title on the 2019 Masters, questioned whether or not he had the identical drive to return to the head of his sport. “I haven’t got to compete and play in opposition to the most effective gamers on this planet to have an incredible life,” Woods mentioned.
“After my again fusion, I needed to climb Mount Everest another time. I needed to do it, and I did. This time round, I do not suppose I will have the physique to climb Mount Everest and that is OK.
“I can nonetheless take part within the sport of golf. I can nonetheless, if my leg will get OK, I can nonetheless click on off a event right here or there. “However so far as climbing the mountain once more and getting all the best way to the highest, I do not suppose that is a practical expectation of me.”
Woods in the meantime revealed he had feared that he might should have his leg amputated within the rapid aftermath of February’s accident. “There was a time limit when, I would not say it was 50/50, but it surely was rattling close to there if I used to be going to stroll out of that hospital with one leg,” mentioned
Woods, who believes he’s lower than midway in the direction of a return to health. “I’ve thus far to go… I am not even on the midway level,” he mentioned. “I’ve a lot extra muscle growth and nerve growth that I’ve to do in my leg. On the identical time, as you already know, I’ve had 5 again operations. So I am having to cope with that. In order the leg will get stronger, typically the again might act up. It is a powerful street.”
Woods added he had been compelled to tempo his restoration. “Being affected person and progressing at a tempo that’s aggressive however not excessive,” he mentioned. “Clearly after I get within the fitness center and I get flowing and the endorphins get going I wish to go, go, go.”
Woods’ interview with Golf Digest comes forward of his first public look since his accident at this week’s Hero World Problem within the Bahamas, the 20-man event that raises funds for his basis.
