Woods back but PGA return 'a long way away'

ORLANDO (Florida) • Tiger Woods' relentless rehabilitation work paid off in a major milestone when he was able to tee it up with his 12-year-old son Charlie for Friday's pro-am ahead of the PNC Championship, which ends today.

The 15-time Major champion is only 10 months removed from a February car accident that nearly cost him his leg.

He used a cart to get around the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando while relishing the opportunity to be back on the course with his son.

The 36-hole father-son weekend exhibition is the perfect event for Woods to get a feel for the greens again. "It was an awesome day," the former world No. 1 said. "It was just awesome to be back out here playing and being out there with my son. We just had an absolute blast."

Woods, 45, was noticeably cautious with how much pressure he put on his right leg, surgically repaired with rods, screws and pins, and did not play much on the back nine as part of his plan to "save" himself for the two days of action.

He admitted his swing is lacking its vintage power and speed, but he is confident both will steadily improve with time.

"I'm just starting to get back into trying to play again," said Woods. "I don't quite have the endurance that I would like to have.

"But just to be able to hit some shots, I've still got the hands, I've still the feel.

"Unfortunately, sometimes the feel doesn't really match up with the speed or the shot that I'm seeing, so that's one of the things that (caddie) Joey (LaCava) I were talking about.

"The ball is not quite flying as far as I'd like or I'm used to, and so we have to talk about some of the numbers and some of the shots and making some of those small adjustments."

His comeback has been faster than anticipated, after taking "no days off" in his rehab following three months in bed after surgery.

However, his competitive golf future remains very much in doubt, with Woods conceding there was a massive difference between driving a cart from shot to shot in a fun pro-am and being able to compete on the PGA Tour.

"This is different," he said. "I can hit around here, drop a ball here, hit a few wedges, do that.

"But to go out there and have 220 yards and know that you have to hit a 3-or 4-iron and miss the ball in the correct spot, and then hit certain shots and one stroke determines whether you win or lose, that's a totally different mindset than what we have out here this week. I'm not there yet."

Woods also revealed he still required access to a cart, which is frowned upon at PGA level as walking is considered an integral part of the game. Until 2001, carts were banned by the Tour and only pro golfers who have a disability exemption can use them.

Any plans to return to the Tour means being able to walk 18 holes over four consecutive days, something that Woods cannot yet do, and he has no plans to petition for the use of a cart.

What 2022 will bring is anyone's guess, with Woods adding: "It's going to be awhile. I couldn't walk this golf course even right now, and it's flat. I don't have the endurance.

"My leg is not quite right yet and it's going to take time. I'm a long way away from playing tournament golf."

REUTERS