Weblifedata News and Magazine
Tiger Woods reinvented
SAN DIEGO – In his prime, Tiger Woods would barely look at a fellow competitor and if he did it was to deliver a stare so icy it would rip right through you.
pgatour.com
Woods, now 42, underwent fusion surgery on his spine in April but returned to play in December’s elite Hero World Challenge, appearing pain free and able to swing freely.
His fitness and level of play in finishing tied ninth of 18 in the Bahamas suggested the former world No.1’s latest comeback has more substance than at the same stage last year.
“It’s all finished now, it’s fused and my quality of life is infinitely better than it was at this point last year,” Woods told a pre-tournament news conference.
“My expectations have tempered a little bit because I haven’t played.
“I just want to play on tour and get into the rhythm again. I’m going to grind it, give it everything I have. But I’m just trying to build toward April. I’m trying to play a full schedule and build for the Masters.”
This time last year Woods had come through the Hero event unscathed after 15 months out following multiple back surgeries but missed the cut at Torrey Pines.
He then withdrew with back spasms after a first-round 77 in Dubai. Other than last year, this week’s Farmers Insurance Open represents Woods first full-field event on the PGA Tour since August 2015.
However, Woods has some serious history at the Torrey Pines course. It was the scene of the last of his 14 major titles 10 years ago — achieved on a broken leg — and venue for seven other Tour titles.
On Tuesday, a relaxed-looking Woods played an early-morning practice round with Australian Jason Day, with whom he has forged a close friendship in recent years, and young American Bryson DeChambeau.
“This time he definitely looks ready,” Day told reporters after their round. “I think his swing is really nice, he’s hitting the driver a long way and he looks like he’s got some speed, which is great. And his touch is coming back.”
