PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA | One year and just a few miles removed from his horrific auto accident, Tiger Woods continues to focus on what’s ahead rather than behind him.
While he’s not committing to a timeline, Woods said last week that he expects to return to competitive golf once he has sufficiently recovered from his severe right leg injuries.
“Will I come back? Yes. Will I come back and play a full schedule? No,” Woods said.
“I can play certain events here and there, but on a full-time level, no, that will never happen again. Pick and choose my events, whether they're majors or other events, I can do something like that, but come back and playing the tour, yes, but not on a full-time basis.”
During a television interview Saturday afternoon, Woods said he will attend the Tuesday night Champions Dinner at the Masters but sidestepped questions about whether he will play the Wednesday Par 3 Contest.
When Woods played the PNC Championship and finished second with his son, Charlie, in December, it sparked speculation about when he might return to competitive golf.
Though he continues to get stronger, Woods said his recovery is slow.
“It takes time. What's frustrating is it’s not at my timetable,” Woods said.
“I want to be at a certain place, but I'm not. I've just got to continue working. I'm getting better, yes, but not at the speed and rate that I would like. You add in the age factor, too. You just don't quite heal as fast, which is frustrating.”
Woods said he plays golf now but rides rather than walks. His short irons and short game are in good shape but he hasn’t been able to be as aggressive in working on his long game.
Tournament golf remains a distant goal.
“I can play weekend warrior golf, that's easy. But to be able to be out here and play – call it six rounds of golf, a practice round, pro-am, four competitive days – it’s the cumulative effect of all that. I'm not able to do that yet. I'm still working on getting to that point,” Woods said.
During the television interview, Woods also offered his support for restrictions related to equipment, particularly drivers, while noting players can now routinely fly the ball 320 yards.
Asked if he would like to see changes made specifically to driver faces, Woods endorsed the idea.
“I think it would be advantageous for the game of golf if we did that,” Woods said. “I personally don’t want to see the amateurs lose the excitement of going out there and playing long and have the forgiveness. But also just add spin to the golf ball. That’s a way to shorten it up as well.”
Ron Green Jr.