He’s back.
Tiger Woods will return to competitive golf in a month, declaring he is “comfortable” with his recuperation from back surgery that has kept him out for more than a year.
The 14-time major champion will return for his own two-day event, the Tiger Woods Invitational in California on October 10-11, then plans a three-tournament swing to round out 2016.
He said overnight that he hopes to play in the US PGA Tour’s Safeway Open, from October 13-16, also in California, then the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open from November 3-6 in Turkey. From there, he will front at the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge from December 1-4 in the Bahamas.
"My rehabilitation is to the point where I'm comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do," Woods told his website.
"Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.
"I'm looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I'm also excited to return to Turkey and Albany (Bahamas). It could be a fun fall.
"It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn't rush it.
“It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters.
“But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I've been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never waned."
Woods has slipped to No.711 in the world rankings.