Tiger Woods says his back is in better shape, but has “a long way to go” and is “not competitive right now” as he prepares to return to action at the PNC Championship.
Fifteen-time major champion Woods will play live with his 15-year-old son Charles for the fifth time at the annual parent-child event in Florida. Sky Sports over Saturday and Sunday.
The 48-year-old underwent surgery in September to relieve “back spasms and pain” after making just 11 competitive starts since his life-threatening car crash in February 2021 which also seriously injury to his right leg.
Woods opted not to play in the Hero World Challenge – the tournament he hosts – earlier this month and admitted there were moments he thought he might miss. to work with his son as well.
Speaking on Friday, Woods said: “It's my leg. It's still here. But this year I've struggled a lot with my back and it's a lot better. But I still have a long way to go.”
Tiger: The way to overcome 'hard' and 'frustrating'
On his possible withdrawal from the PNC Championship, Woods said: “I had moments.
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Charlie Woods helped his father Tiger on the field before the final round of The Masters at Augusta National in April
“That was one of the reasons why the operation was done earlier, and hopefully I could give myself the best chance to be with Charlie and be able to play
“I'm not competitive right now, but I just want to be able to experience it again.
“This has always been one of the biggest events of the year for us as a family, and now we get to have that moment together again.
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“Preparing to play competitively is different. It takes months and weeks. But it starts with every day. You just do the little things, the bad things, right, and they add up to him.
“Unfortunately I have gone through this process several times. It is difficult. I have an amazing team but I have to do the little things every day and away from everyone. Yes it's hard.”
Woods: Scheffler will have an amazing year
Woods presented Scottie Scheffler with the World Champion Challenge award after the world No. 1 secured his 16th victory in less than three years by successfully retaining that title in the Bahamas.
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Highlights from the fourth round of the Hero World Challenge with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler retaining the title
Scheffler has won nine times in 2024 alone, including a second major at The Masters and Olympic gold in Paris, with Woods believing his fellow American's success will continue.
Woods said of Scheffler: “I think it's just that consistency over the last two years. He moves around a lot in his swing, but if you look at that ball flight, he doesn't do much.
“He has an amazing feeling that he hit the ball the right number. That's just something that's innate.
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“I think the way he's handled the pressure and the expectations … he's doing an incredible job. He's just coming into his own. That's the fun part of watching him. This is going to be the start of an incredible year.
“We can all make mistakes, we can all have hot streaks. But how good is your bad? Everyone's good is good out there, but his bad is terrible good.
“He doesn't make many mistakes, he understands how not to make more serious mistakes. He doesn't make mistakes that rise up.”
Watch the PNC Tournament live Sky Sports Golf over the weekend. Saturday's coverage starts at 4pm with Sunday's action picking up at 4.30pm. Stream the tournament with NOW.
