Tiger Woods says his back is in better shape but “still 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 alongside 15-year-old son Charlie for the fifth time in Florida's annual 36-hole parent-child tournament, live Sky Sports during 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 career-threatening car crash in February 2021, which also badly injured his right leg .
Woods decided not to play in the Hero World Challenge – the tournament he hosts – earlier this month and admitted there were times he thought he might miss teaming up with his son.
Speaking on Friday, ahead of his first tournament since the Open at Royal Troon in July, Woods said: “My leg is the way it is. It's still there. But this year I've been struggling with my back a lot and it's much better. But I still have a long way to go.”
Tiger: Road to recovery 'difficult' and 'frustrating'
Of the potential need to retire from the PNC Championship, Woods added, “I've had my moments.
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Charlie Woods helped dad Tiger on the driving range ahead of the final round of the Masters at Augusta National in April
“That was one of the reasons I had the surgery earlier, so I'm hoping to 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 relive the experience.
“This has always been one of the biggest highlights of the year for us as a family, and now we're having that moment together again.
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“Preparing for a competitive game is different. It takes months, weeks. But it starts with every day. You just do the little things, everyday, right, and they add up.
“Unfortunately, I've been through this process a few times. It's frustrating. I have an amazing team, but I have to do little things on a daily basis and away from everyone. It's hard.”
Woods: Scheffler is going to have an incredible year
Woods handed the Hero World Challenge trophy to Scottie Scheffler after the world No. 1 secured his 16th victory in less than three years by successfully retaining the title in the Bahamas.
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Highlights from the fourth round of the Hero World Challenge as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler retained his title
Scheffler has won nine times in 2024 alone, including a second major at the Masters and Olympic gold in Paris, and Woods believes his fellow American's success will continue.
Woods said of Scheffler, “I think it's just that consistency over the last couple of years. He's got a lot going in his swing, but if you watch the ball fly, it's not really doing much.
“He has an incredible feel for hitting the ball on the right number. It's just something he was born with.
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“I think how he's handled the pressure and the expectations … he's doing an incredible job. He's just coming into his own. It's a fun part of watching him develop. It's going to be the start of an incredible year.
“We can all make mistakes, we can all have hot races. But how good is your bad? Everyone's good is good there, but his bad is really impressive.
“He doesn't do much wrong, he understands how not to make mistakes. Not making mistakes adds up.”
Watch the PNC Championship live Sky Sports Golf over the weekend. The Saturday show starts at 16:00 and the Sunday action starts at 16:30. Stream the tournament from NOW.