Tiger Woods expects to be back on the course in a month as a coach, but he wants his fans to know that’s not all he’s aiming for.
Woods was in the rough with club in-hand Thursday, according to a video he posted on his Twitter account, practicing his chips onto the green for the first time since the spring. The 14-time major championship winner was cleared by his doctor to start with the simple stroke, he clarified in the caption.
Just like the slow-motion effects he added to the video, Woods’ return to the PGA Tour has been a long, grueling process. Six years after fighting back from a pair of knee surgeries in 2008, Woods’ back pain set in and he has undergone four surgeries since April 2014.
Woods’ comeback took a turn for the worse in May when he was arrested for driving under the influence of five prescription drugs and pleaded guilty to reckless driving this month. The father of two checked himself into a clinic to receive “professional help” on managing the painkillers he takes for his back.
He won’t have to worry about the pain in late September, when Presidents Cup captain Steve Stricker said he’ll be serving as an assistant captain for Team USA. It will be Woods’ second stint on the other side of the bag after he assisted Davis Love III at last year’s Ryder Cup, which ended with a historic US win.
“It will be good to have him there. Guys are looking forward to it and I know he’s looking forward to it as well,” Stricker told Golf Channel last week at the Northern Trust. “He wants to get back in the mix, and I know he’s itching to get back out here, and this will be a first step for him.”
Even while dealing with his injuries and legal issues, Woods has been known to be some players’ biggest fans. He often texts Jason Day and Jordan Spieth with advice during major tournaments and recently had dinner with Justin Thomas after the 24-year-old’s PGA Championship win.
So, it was no surprise to Stricker that Woods was calling him in January with ideas for the Presidents Cup. But now, he won’t be a call or text away; he’ll be present.