Tiger Woods enjoys ‘superior day’; PGA Tour a ‘great distance away’

Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods fist bump through the Professional-Am forward of the PNC Championship on the Ritz Carlton Golf Membership Grande Lakes on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Photos/AFP (Photograph by Douglas P. DeFelice / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Photos through AFP)

Tiger Woods’ relentless rehabilitation work paid off in a significant milestone when he was capable of tee it up with son Charlie for Friday’s Professional-Am forward of the PNC Championship.

Woods is barely 10 months faraway from a February automotive accident that almost value him his leg. He used a cart to get across the Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership in Orlando whereas relishing the chance to be again on the course along with his son.

Charlie Woods displaying dad the way it’s completed. 😊 pic.twitter.com/prJiDWs2ga

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2021

“It was an superior day,” Woods mentioned. “It was simply superior to be again out right here taking part in and being on the market with my son, and we simply had an absolute blast.”

Woods was noticeably cautious with how a lot stress he placed on the leg and didn’t play a lot on the again 9 as a part of his plan to “save” himself for the 36-hole occasion over the weekend.

He admitted his swing is missing its classic energy and velocity, however Woods mentioned he’s assured they are going to steadily enhance with time.

Workforce Woods. Dialed. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/vHrDQ5yMh5

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2021

“I’m simply beginning to get again into making an attempt to play once more,” mentioned Woods, who turns 46 on Dec. 30. “I don’t fairly have the endurance that I want to have. However simply to have the ability to hit some pictures, I’ve nonetheless acquired the palms, I’ve nonetheless the texture.

“Sadly, generally the texture doesn’t actually match up with the velocity or the shot that I’m seeing, in order that’s one of many issues that (caddie) Joey (LaCava) I have been speaking about. The ball isn’t fairly flying so far as I’d like or I’m used to, and so we now have to speak about among the numbers and among the pictures and making a few of these small changes.”

🎙 @TigerWoods meets with the media following the pro-am @PNCChampionship. https://t.co/FKi2SSlIG5

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 17, 2021

Woods mentioned there have been “no days off” in his rehab following three months in mattress after surgical procedure to restore a number of fractures in his leg.

Nevertheless, his aggressive golf future stays very a lot doubtful. Woods reiterated that there’s an enormous distinction between driving a cart from shot to shot in a enjoyable pro-am and with the ability to compete on the PGA Tour.

That is totally different,” he mentioned. “I can hit round right here, drop a ball right here, hit a number of wedges do, that. However to go on the market and have 220 yards and know that it’s a must to hit a 3- or 4-iron and miss the ball within the right spot, after which hit sure pictures and one stroke determines whether or not you win or lose, that’s a very totally different mindset than what we now have out right here this week.

“I’m not there but.”

Woods mentioned he won’t ever petition to make use of a cart in a PGA Tour occasion. So a part of any future plans to return to the tour will even embrace with the ability to stroll 18 holes over 4 consecutive days.

Woods’ focus is on having fun with the weekend with 12-year-old Charlie, and what 2022 will carry stays anybody’s guess.

“It’s going to be awhile,” he mentioned. “I couldn’t stroll this golf course even proper now, and it’s flat. I don’t have the endurance. My leg isn’t fairly proper but and it’s going to take time.

“I’m a great distance away from taking part in match golf.”

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