Tiger Woods has revealed the extent of the injuries that kept him off the course for 10 months ahead of the start of his 2018 season.
Woods made his comeback from a long-term injury at the start of December with an impressively solid performance, placing ninth in an 18-man field at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He will, once again, become a permanent figure on the PGA TOUR in 2018.
A promising year ahead
After several years of attempting to overcome troublesome back injuries—which required four separate surgeries—the 14-time major winner could be set to return to the upper echelons of the sport which he once dominated.
In the latest of a series of updates he released during the Christmas break, Woods revealed just how tough things were for him throughout 2017.
“I hadn’t played without pain for a long time—it was nice to just go out there and chill out,” Woods posted in a message to fans on his official website. “During that 10-month period I was away from the game, I had a hard time walking and often needed assistance getting out of bed. I appreciate competitive golf now more than I ever have.”
Woods has yet to map out his 2018 schedule. The tournaments he decides to play in in the coming months will depend on how his body holds up to the rigors of life back on the course.
“I’m continuing to progress and trying to get strong enough to where I can handle a workload again,” Woods added. “What that entails, including back-to-back events, I don’t know. This is all uncharted territory.”
An amicable parting
There will, however, be one change to Woods’ backroom team in 2018 when he does make his first appearance on tour. That is because the former world number one has amicably split with his swing coach Como after the pair worked together throughout the last three years.
Woods will not be replacing Como and will instead be continuing to work alone, which has been case since he began his long journey back to fitness.
“Since my fusion surgery I’ve been working hard to relearn my own body and golf swing,” Woods said. “For now, it’s best for me to continue to do this on my own. I’m grateful to Chris Como for his past work, and I have nothing but respect for him.”
Como told the Golf Channel: “Tiger is ready to have an incredible next run in his career. I’m eager to watch what will be one of the most exciting sports comebacks of all time. I will continue to be a close friend and resource to him.”
The 79-time PGA TOUR winner has not won a title since he lifted the WGC Bridgestone Invitational title in 2013 more than four years ago. The last of Woods’ 14 majors was achieved at the 2008 U.S. Open. Almost a decade on, he remains four short of Jack Nicklaus record haul of 18.
See also: Tiger Woods ‘Will Target’ Majors in 2018