Tiger Woods made a highly anticipated return to professional golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, marking his first tournament in nearly eight months. While his performance was not flawless, Woods demonstrated that he can still be competitive at a high standard and that his passion for the game remains undiminished.
Woods finished the tournament at even par, securing the 18th position out of 20 on the overall leaderboard. His final round featured five birdies, showcasing moments of brilliance, such as a remarkable long putt on the fifth hole. However, it also included some missteps, including a double bogey on the second hole and three additional bogeys on the eighth, 11th, and 16th.
Despite the challenges, there were encouraging signs for the 47-year-old golfer. Woods averaged 305 yards off the tee, indicating that his long game remains strong. Furthermore, he demonstrated that his body, which has endured numerous injuries over the years, can still handle the demands of four rounds of competitive golf.
Reflecting on his performance, Woods mentioned that he had come a long way from being rusty and appreciated the opportunity to compete again. He acknowledged that the physicality of playing and competing was a significant challenge, given his extended break from professional golf.
Woods’ next tournament will be the PNC Championship, a father-son event scheduled to start on December 14 in Orlando, Florida. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Woods will participate in the tournament alongside his son, Charlie. It is his second tournament since undergoing ankle surgery in April.
Looking ahead to 2024, Woods has plans to compete on the PGA Tour approximately once a month. Possible events on his schedule include the Genesis Invitational in February, the Players Championship in March, the Masters in April, and potentially the Olympics in Paris later in the year. Despite his injury history, Woods’ determination to continue competing at the highest level of golf remains evident.