Tiger Woods (centre) will make a return to competitive golf at the PNC Championship from December 16-19. AFP
Tiger Woods said on Wednesday he will make his return to competitive golf at next week’s PNC Championship in Florida.
The former world No1, who has not played since suffering career-threatening leg injuries in a car crash 10 months ago, will play in the December 16-19 tournament alongside his son Charlie.
“Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the PNC Championship with my son Charlie,” Woods announced on Twitter.
“I’m playing as a Dad and couldn’t be more excited and proud,” added Woods, who suffered compound fractures in his right leg after the car he was driving in a Los Angeles suburb in February veered off the road and flipped several times.
The PNC Championship, part of the PGA Tour Champions series which is being staged at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, sees 20 major champions team up with a relative of their choice.
Woods played in the 2020 event alongside son Charlie, 12, a tournament won by Justin Thomas and his father Mike.
“I am delighted to confirm that Tiger and Charlie Woods will be participating in the 2021 PNC Championship,” tournament chairman Alastair Johnston said.
“We have been liaising with Tiger and his team for some time and are delighted that he has now decided to make his return to competitive golf at the PNC Championship.”
The PNC Championship offers Woods the prospect of a gentle return to tournament golf. The two-day event comprises two rounds of scramble golf, and Woods will be allowed to make use of a golf cart.
Nevertheless, the speed of Woods’ return comes sooner than expected for a player who revealed last week that amputation of his mangled leg had been “on the table” in the aftermath of February’s crash.
News of Woods’ return was greeted with enthusiasm by fellow professionals.
The 15-time major winner said while he was able to play “hit-and-giggle golf”, a return to a PGA Tour event remained some way in the distance.
“Playing tour golf and being prepared to play and trying to shoot scores against these best players on the toughest golf courses, that’s a totally different deal,” Woods said.
“I’m a long way away from that. Don’t expect me to be out there on the tour level for quite some time.”
However, Woods said he was keen to play in next year’s British Open, which will mark its 150th anniversary at St Andrews, the home of golf where Woods has won twice before.
