It wasn’t perfect, but seeing him back on the fairways and greens this week was a step in the right direction. Tiger Woods finished the Hero World Challenge at 18 years olde Rank equal to normal. His strategy of playing one tournament per month in 2024 likely remains, assuming he improves his game to be competitive.
“If this plan gives me a few weeks to recover after a week of tournament play and then prepare well for the next championship, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work,” Woods said at the end of his four rounds at the Bahamas.
“We just have to come back in better shape,” added the man who said he was rusty at the start of the week and after his first two rounds. My game isn’t that far off from the others, but I really need to improve it.
The tiger shows his short game here. Due to his injuries and health, he hasn’t been able to spend as much time there as he used to in recent years. The playing conditions and the special type of turf at the Albany Golf Club reminded him that the course leaves no chance.
Among the points with which he was satisfied, he particularly mentioned his tee shots. Despite his major ankle surgery, he still hits powerfully.
Getty Images via AFP
“I did a really good job in that regard all week. I’m glad because the aisles are wide here. But I felt like my speed was good. I hit the ball in the middle of my face the entire tournament. “It’s satisfactory,” said the 47-year-old athlete.
Still works
In his opinion, his scores of 75-70-71-72 would not be a good indicator of his game. Since he ended up tied with par, he was unable to use the par-5s to adequately improve his situation. There were also a few breakdowns, especially in the bushes, which were costly.
Tiger Woods hits a shot to get his ball out of the bushes on the 15th hole during the first round of the 2023 Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. Getty Images via AFP
“I did better than my results. But I remain far off the pace of the leader, he emphasized, who finished 20 strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler (-20). I’m grateful that only 20 players are registered. Better results on the par 5s would have put me in the middle of the field.
“I still have a lot of work to do,” continued the golfer, wearing his traditional red polo shirt that he wears on Sundays. I look forward to continuing the work.”
On a related note, Woods will be back on the track in two weeks during the PNC Championship, in which he will compete alongside his son Charlie.
Same story, no pain
While he said in his last appearance at Augusta last April that he suffered from pain and had to undergo a treatment protocol for nearly five hours after each round, Woods said this return to play is no different.
“But I no longer have the bone pain that was going through my body. The protocol remains the same. It’s tedious, but unfortunately necessary as you get older and your body has become overwhelmed. It is still important to keep up with the youth. I have a log before and after the round. Overall, I spend more time in the treatment rooms and gym than on the golf course. That’s the price you have to pay to stay on this circuit as an athlete.