For the first time in nearly 10 months, Tiger Woods will tee up in a competitive golf event this week.
The Hero World Challenge, which brings in the elite of the sport sees the man with 14 Major titles making a 10th comeback.
The latest of the four back surgeries, on April 19 this year, kept Woods on the bed for the better part of the year. “Physically, I could not do something as basic as go to the toilet myself.”
Determined to return to what he does best, the 41-year announced the decision to play the event which he hosts on the PGA Tour.
On Tuesday, the winner of 79 PGA titles looked happy just to be able to play. The focus of all attention, Woods showed no signs of pressure and was forthcoming as he took questions from The Hindu.
When asked how felt to be back in the mix with those who grew up watching his exploits, Woods said, “It’s been fantastic coming back and playing. All these...can’t call them kids...young guys have been great in trying to help me make a comeback. I was with them in the Ryder’s Cup last year, President’s Cup this year, and got to know them well.
“I played a round with DJ (Dustin Johnson), JT (Justin Thomas), Rickie (Fowler)…so lots of them are my friends. I miss playing golf with my friends. Go out there and play obviously for a wager. I did it because I wanted to see how far I was from them. I’ve been off from the game for a very long time and don’t know how good my skills are. Can I do it when the pressure mounts? I wanted to see that. How would I react? How would I feel?”
What were his expectations this week? “I would like to say that I am here to win the damn thing, like I always do. But this is different. It feels different because I don’t know my body yet. I don’t understand what it can do fully yet.
“I got a go ahead from my surgeon a month ago. He said, “Go ahead and hit it.” I said, I was not sure if I could hit it. The first ball I hit, a driver, I smoked it to about 130 yards (laughs). I was afraid to hit it. Each day I progressed further. The good thing about me ramping up was that I could do it every day.
“I remembered what my dad said. “KISS.”… Keep It Simple, Silly. So I am going to keep it simple and see how it goes.”
(The writer is in the Bahamas at the invitation of Hero MotoCorp)