Tiger Woods has not played since The Masters in April, when he had to withdraw from the third round due to a recurrence of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
A few days later, the 47-year-old legend went under the knife, leaving the timing of his return uncertain.
More than a week ago, Woods unexpectedly announced that he would participate in the Hero World Challenge, a PGA Tour tournament hosted by the “Super Tiger”,
taking place at the par-72 Albany course in the Bahamas from November 30 to December 3 and only for 20 elite golfers on the guest list.
Even though he was still limping and repeating his trademark shots, Tiger’s return to the Hero World Challenge still sparked excitement in the golf world.
The owner of 15 majors will compete with big names such as Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland.
Fans are eagerly awaiting Woods’ return, which of course also helps them answer concerns related to the “Super Tiger” for a long time.
1. Has Woods fully recovered from his injury?
This is certainly the question that most fans are most interested in. A question that Woods will definitely have to answer, not only through statements to the media, but also through his performance at Albany.
Woods’ health has gradually declined, especially his legs, since the near-fatal traffic accident in February 2021. That incident forced him to limit his playing time, and so far he has only played five times, mostly in major tournaments and has not achieved high results.
It is difficult to expect Woods to be able to play four consecutive days like before the injury. But certainly the surgery in April and the long recovery period after that, more or less brought some peace of mind.
Most recently, in early November, despite still limping, Woods showed positive signs when he was able to caddie for his son Charlie Woods for all four days of the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship.
2. How will Woods play?
Another question that fans want to know is Woods’ performance in the Bahamas. During his injury, Woods did not have many opportunities to hone his skills. No golfer can compete well without practice and practice. Even a legend like Woods is no exception.
Another thing, Woods is famous for his great swing with the power to fly the ball far and accurately, demonstrating the class of a legendary golfer. This shot has undergone many changes to suit throughout Woods’ career, but in terms of “quality”, it is still very accurate. This time around, what fans expect from Woods is probably not the Championship Cup, but the famous swinging motion that doesn’t make his face frown and feel uncomfortable is the greatest victory.
3. Who is Woods’ caddie?
Having been together since 2011, Woods and caddie Joe LaCava, who is also a long-time confidant, regrettably announced their separation last summer so that LaCava could carry the golf bag for Patrick Cantlay. This is the first time fans have seen Woods alone in his career, and curiosity about the identity of the person who will take on the role of Woods’ caddie at the Hero World Challenge 2023 has been a hot topic recently.
Many people dream of accompanying Woods on the golf course. Also at this tournament in 2019, David Gilbert – founder and CEO of National Funding (one of the leading financial technology companies in the US) was willing to spend 75,000 USD just to become the exclusive caddie of “Super Tiger” in the pro-am round. Gilbert at that time replaced Joe LaCava as the task of pulling Woods’ golf bag for a day, to the envy and admiration of millions of fans around the world.
Currently, Woods’ long-time manager and close friend, Rob McNamara, is expected to take on the role of caddie at this year’s Hero World Challenge.
4. Woods’ plans after Hero World Challenge 2023?
Woods’ schedule in 2023 is still the most prominent search information in the world of golf. The return of the 47-year-old legend at Hero World Challenge 2023 is a signal that he will likely appear more in the upcoming season.
After the Hero World Challenge 2023, Woods confirmed that he will join his son Charlie Woods (14 years old) in the PNC Championship taking place on December 16-17. This is a special tournament that only takes place over 2 days, where famous former major champions and The Players Championship pair up with their family members to compete.
Woods’ next stop could be the event in his hometown, the Genesis Invitational, in February 2024. With a spot in 4 major tournaments: The Masters, The Open, The PGA Championship and The US Open, it is likely that Woods will not miss these events.
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Source: USA Today
