Golf superstar says he could have returned earlier than next week
Tiger Woods said Friday that he was ready to come back from June knee surgery earlier this year, but delayed his return because of the birth of his son.
Woods comments, by teleconference Friday, are a clear indication that the golf icon believes that his repaired anterior cruciate ligament is fully healed. He will play next week in the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Ariz.
“More than anything, it was making sure the family was all good,” said Woods, 33. “After that was taken care of, then I could start focusing on playing again. I wouldn’t have played if our baby was delayed or if [wife] Elin or [son] Charlie were struggling. Everyone’s healthy, happy, on the home front. So it was time for me to get back.”
After the birth of Charlie, on Feb. 8, Woods said he planned his return for the Accenture or the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral, March 12-15. Woods has won the Match Play three times in the last six years and has an endorsement deal with Accenture.
During his eight months off, Woods said he enjoyed playing with his daughter, 19-month-old Sam, and poured his competitive juices into his rehab.
“I missed competing. I had to find competition in other ways, I really focused on my rehab as my own personal competition each and every day to get better,” said Woods. “It made my workouts more fun. And here we are.”
The result is a healthy left knee. Woods said that he’s been able to play every day and swing without pain since beginning practice in late December.
“One of the great things about coming back with an ACL is my bones aren’t moving any more,” said Woods. “It’s a very comforting feeling hitting a golf ball and not having your bones flying all over the place.”
The 14-time major championship winner said he has no idea how his schedule will play out. In past years, his schedule has been centered on the majors. The Masters is set for April 10-13.
“The most frustrating thing is I can’t make up my schedule like I usually do. I have to take it tournament-by-tournament,” said Woods. “I would like to play certain tournaments, yes. But I don’t know how this knee will behave.”
Woods could get a good idea next week. If he wins his first three matches in the Accenture, one each day Wednesday through Friday, he would have two rounds on Saturday and Sunday, provided he keeps advancing.
“I’d like to have that problem,” joked Woods.
But don’t get the idea that Woods figures he won’t be in the finals.
“Every tournament I enter, it’s to win. That’s my intent to go there to win,” said Woods. “I’m excited about going there, getting the adrenaline going, feeling the rush of playing and competing again. I haven’t done it in a while.”
Woods on Trump
Woods said he hadn’t heard the recent comments of Donald Trump, regarding his attempt to lure Woods’ tournament, the AT&T National, to Loews Island. Trump purchased the Virginia private course earlier this month and said, “Congressional doesn’t have a chance.”
“Donald has always been very aggressive in business,” said Woods, “But we’re under contract with Congressional and we’re very happy to be there.”
