Tiger Woods announces return to action
Tiger Woods’ injury exile could almost be at an end.
The 14-time Major champion has announced he hopes to make his long awaited return to competitive action at the Safeway Open, in California, from October 13-16.
He also said, on his website tigerwoods.com, that he plans to play the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open, from November 3-6.
Woods has been out of action for more than a year following surgery on a back injury. His last tournament was the Wyndham Championship in August 2015.
He could also tee it up in the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge, in December, and the Tiger Woods Invitational, on the Monterey Peninsula, on October 10 and 11 – just before his PGA Tour outing at Napa.
He said: “My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do.
“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. 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.
Hoping to play in Napa, Turkey, and Hero in the Bahamas. Can't wait to compete again. https://t.co/cuNUTQv0NW
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 7, 2016
“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.”
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
