Tiger plays healing game

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This article was published 29/06/2011 (5486 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Tiger Woods is no longer using crutches, a walking boot or a razor. He hasn’t hit a full golf shot in 47 days and has no idea when he will practise, much less play in another tournament.

All he could say with certainty Tuesday was that he would not return until he was fully healthy.

“Usually I set a timetable when I want to come back and play when I’ve had injuries before,” Woods said at the AT&T National, which benefits his foundation. “This one is different. I’m going to learn my lesson from what I did at The Players and apply it this time and come back when I’m 100 per cent. I don’t know when that’s going to be.

“That’s kind of the frustrating thing about it right now is I don’t know.”

While he did not rule out the British Open, which starts July 14 at Royal St. George’s, he made it sound as though he would miss another major championship.

“I wouldn’t go over there just to show up,” he said. “I’d go over there to win the golf tournament, so I need to obviously get my body ready so I can practise, and eventually play.”

Woods has not played since May 12 when he withdrew after nine holes from The Players Championship. That was his first tournament since suffering “minor injuries” to his left knee and Achilles at the Masters.

He said it was borderline whether he should have played at the TPC Sawgrass, a decision he now regrets. Had he skipped The Players, Woods said he would be playing now.

“I’ve played in pain before and I’ve played injured, and I’ve played through it, and I’ve been very successful at it,” Woods said. “There has been a number of years where I’ve been hurt more than people could possibly understand, and I’ve played and I’ve won. I just felt that it was good enough to give it a go, and I did. And I hurt myself.”

Woods believes he has time on his side, especially when it comes to his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 professional majors. He remains stuck on No. 14, and he can’t get closer if he’s not playing.

“He won when he was 46, right?” said the 35-year-old Woods. “I’ve still got some time. I feel pretty confident of what my future holds and very excited about it. I’m excited about coming out here and being ready to go, instead of trying to kind of patch it, which I’ve been doing for a while.”

 

— The Associated Press