Tiger Woods will compete in next week's PNC Championship, days after missing the Hero World Challenge because he said he was “not used to tournaments yet.”
Woods announced the news on Tuesday. He will play with his son Charlie again, for the fifth time. Last year, the Woods father-son duo tied for fifth place, with John Daly and his son John Daly II winning. Team Woods finished second to Dalys in 2021 as well.
But this father-son exhibition is much different than a regular PGA Tour event or even last week's Hero World Challenge. There are only 36 holes, and players can use golf carts during play. The field is made up of just 20 major champions and their children, many of whom are on the Champions Tour or are well past their prime.
So Woods can run around without worrying about traversing a grueling golf course like Augusta National over its 72 holes. Although he can drive a cart, he cannot walk much, but relies on Charlie to carry the team.
Woods, who turns 49 later this month, underwent another hip surgery in September. He has struggled to maintain any level of excellence in recent years, particularly since his near-fatal car accident in February 2021. His recent surgery was due to pain in his leg, and doctors almost had it amputated after the accident.
“I never thought my back would be the way it is this year,” Woods said on Dec. 3.
“I had another surgery to relieve the pain in my foot because I was in constant pain at the end of the year.”
The surgery in September was Woods' sixth total back surgery.
“I didn't have any cramps or nerve pain, so I was really happy, but I also knew I still had a long road to rehab and recovery,” Woods said of his state of mind after the match.
“We’re going to keep doing all the training in the gym, we’re going to keep doing all the protocols, and eventually it’s going to lead to something where we can compete again.”
Despite this, Woods appears to be fit enough to play in this exhibition. But will his back hold up in Orlando next week? Only time will tell.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
