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Forward of this week’s Hero World Problem, Tiger Woods performed simply 9 holes throughout Wednesday’s Professional-Am.
Often, these occasions are 18 holes, however the 15-time main champion determined to remain recent for the remainder of the week and stopped on the flip as a result of, because the occasion host, he can.
Woods appeared robust, per Sports activities Illustrated reporter Bob Harig, who watched him play within the Professional-Am.
He unofficially completed at even par, making two birdies and two pars. The swing movies that got here from the Professional-Am confirmed Woods appeared robust.
Woods appears to be like like his swing is there. It’s extra about whether or not his physique can sustain. Forward of the occasion, he spoke to the media and as soon as once more talked about he was pain-free in his ankle since having subtalar fusion surgical procedure.
“That’s all gone,” Woods stated in his press convention on Tuesday. “The opposite elements of my physique, my knee hurts, my again. The forces go some place else. Identical to once I had my again fused, the forces need to go someplace. So it’s up the chain.”
“Different elements are taking the brunt of the load, so I’m a little bit extra sore in different areas, however the ankle’s good. In order that surgical procedure was a hit.”
Followers have seen him stroll some this fall, carrying the bag for his son Charlie with little to no limp. Nonetheless, on Wednesday, there have been indicators of an uneven gate in the course of the Professional-Am, however it was not prefer it was again in April.
Whereas Woods outlined a 2024 schedule and stated he was pain-free, solely taking part in 9 holes on Wednesday may point out he’s removed from his typical self. However what ought to followers anticipate from him?
“My recreation feels rusty. I haven’t performed shortly,” Woods stated. “I’m excited to compete and play, and I’m simply as curious as all of you might be to see what occurs as a result of I haven’t finished it shortly.”
It has been over seven months since he performed in a PGA Tour occasion, so being sensible about his motion is likely to be the precise name.
He has solely performed in 5 occasions since returning on the 2022 Masters. That occasion was a little bit over a 12 months following that horrific 2021 automobile crash. Woods made the reduce twice at Augusta Nationwide, the 2022 PGA Championship and final 12 months’s Genesis Invitational.
The five-time inexperienced jacket proprietor additionally withdrew twice in these final 5 begins, together with the 2023 Masters. Shortly after that, he had the aforementioned surgical procedure on his ankle. This week marks his first return to skilled golf since that process.
Woods very properly would possibly simply be making a sensible resolution figuring out this isn’t the one occasion he’ll play in December.
He and Charlie will tee it up in the PNC Championship in two weeks. That match permits golf carts, so if this week causes extra pressure than he expects, that may be an possibility for him.
Woods will tee off with Justin Thomas on Thursday at 11:52 a.m. ET for the primary spherical of the occasion.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You possibly can observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.
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