BERLIN, Feb 15 — Tiger Woods insists he is only returning to the PGA Tour this week because he believes in his ability to win again.
The 47-year-old has entered his first non-major event on the tour since playing the Zozo Championship in October 2020, and he continues to feel the effects of his February 2021 car crash, reported STATS Perform/dpa.
He was left with a severely broken leg among a host of injuries, and the 15-time major winner accepts the end of his career is probably not far away.
It is ankle pain that gives Woods the most concern at present, as he prepares to compete in the Genesis Invitational tournament run by his foundation at the Riviera Country Club in California.
But he is optimistic about his ability to hit good golf shots and get around the course without needing a buggy.
“I would not have put myself out here if I didn’t think I could beat these guys and win the event. That’s my mentality. I’m very rusty but I’ve come off rusty situations before and done well,” Woods said.
After needing a long recuperation from the severe injuries to his right leg, Woods said the limb is “better than it was last year”.
In his efforts to put himself through strenuous exercise to build up resilience, Woods said he “may have overdone it a couple of times, but here I am”.
“I’m there to get a W, OK?” he said in a pre-tournament press conference.
“I don’t understand that making the cut is a great thing. If I entered the event, it’s always to get a W.
“There will come a point in time when my body will not allow me to do that anymore, and it’s probably sooner than later. But wrapping my head around that transition and being the ambassador role and just trying to be out here with the guys, no, that’s not in my DNA.”
Woods last played competitively at The Open at St Andrews last July, missing the cut.
He hopes to play the Masters in April, and this can reasonably be considered a test of his fitness with Augusta in mind.
The American great will be in familiar company when he tees off in the opening two rounds, having been included in a group of three with close friends Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy.
Woods shares the record for wins at PGA Tour level with the late Sam Snead, triumphing at the 2019 Zozo Championship to reach his current total of 82 career victories.
— Bernama
