‘The Returned Golf Emperor’ Woods: "Rehabilitation is Ongoing"... When Will He Return to the PGA Tour?

Son Charlie and 'Family Competition' PNC Championship Runner-up Show Strength, Enter Next Stage with Improved Stamina and Tee Shot Power

‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods is cheering during the final day of the PNC Championship. Orlando, USA = Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Rehabilitation is ongoing."

The "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA) makes a dazzling comeback. On the 20th (Korean time) at the PNC Championship held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida (par 72, 7,106 yards), he and his son Charlie secured 2nd place (25 under par, 119 strokes), showcasing his enduring prowess. He shot 10 under par on the first day and an impressive 15 under par on the final day. Although this is a '2-person team' scramble format event where each player tees off separately and the next shot is played from the better position, completing the event itself is meaningful.

Since his car accident last February, Woods spent three months bedridden and underwent long-term treatment and rehabilitation using a wheelchair and crutches. Before the tournament, he revealed, "I almost had to have my leg amputated," and shared, "At the hospital, I asked my girlfriend Erica to throw me anything to see if I still had feeling in my hand." He added, "My father, a former special forces soldier, taught me to endure pain one piece at a time," and expressed his determination, saying, "I have taken care of my body every single day without fail."

It is astonishing that Woods even held a club. He combined several drives over 300 yards, pinpoint iron shots, and dazzling short game skills. His willpower, saying "I still get an endorphin rush when I enter the gym," finally bore fruit. A perfect comeback will require more time. Above all, he needs to rebuild his stamina. In fact, he used a cart to move around and showed signs of discomfort in his leg after the tee shot on the 16th hole on the first day.

‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods is practicing at the driving range ahead of the final 2nd round of the PNC Championship. Orlando, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

His driver tee shots averaged around 280 yards. Experts analyze that "due to the injured right leg, his swing arc has shortened, flexibility has decreased, and he cannot generate full power." Woods himself admitted, "I was surprised that I couldn't hit the distances I used to," and vowed, "To compete on the PGA Tour again, I need to practice hitting thousands, even tens of thousands of balls." He has already succeeded in multiple comebacks, proving his potential.

A prime example is his victory at the 2018 Tour Championship, the final event of the Playoffs (PO). After undergoing back surgery in April 2017 and leaving the course, Woods made a smooth return nine months later in December with a tie for 9th place at the Hero World Challenge. In January 2018, he officially returned at the Farmers Open and reached his 80th career win at the Tour Championship. The following year, he won his 15th Masters major in April and tied the PGA Tour record for most wins (82) at the Zozo Championship in October. Woods is once again embarking on creating new history.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.