NEW YORK, NY—Give Tiger Woods credit in knowing how to time his announcement for his return to active competition. Woods announced on his Website September 7 and made sure his action would not in anyway conflict with the upcoming BMW event that starts today in Indianapolis at Crooked Stick.
The last time Tiger competed -- it seems like eons ago -- came at The Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, NC in August 2015 where he tied for 10th. After that event Tiger had back surgery in the middle of September and another related procedure in October of that year.
If all works Woods is set to return to competition on October 13 -- 416 days since his last appearance.
The last time Tiger competed -- it seems like eons ago -- came at The Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, NC in August 2015 where he tied for 10th. After that event Tiger had back surgery in the middle of September and another related procedure in October of that year.
If all works Woods is set to return to competition on October 13 -- 416 days since his last appearance.
Woods is planning to play three events before the 2016 calendar concludes. The events would include the Safeway event -- formerly the Frys.com Open in Napa, CA. Tiger plans to return and compete in the Turkish Airlines Open in early November -- an event he finished in a tie for 3rd in 2013. The final planned appearance would be in his foundation event -- the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in early December.
The key operative word in all of this is “hopes” to play. The ongoing saga of if/when Tiger returns to competition has been both fascinating to follow and also quite deflating.
The key operative word in all of this is “hopes” to play. The ongoing saga of if/when Tiger returns to competition has been both fascinating to follow and also quite deflating.
It's been more than eight years since Tiger Woods' last major win—the 2008 U.S. Open. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
M. James Ward
Author
Ward is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Met Golf Writers Association. He has covered over 100 major championships and 12 Ryder Cup Matches. His golf acumen extends to architecture/travel, equipment, apparel, and general interest stories as well as in-depth interviews with the leading participants and influencers in the sport.
