‘I may never return to competitive golf’: is Tiger Woods on the verge of ending his incredible career?
American admits publicly for the first time that he may be forced to consider retirement
“I’m hitting 60-yard shots,” Woods said more than once during a press conference Wednesday for the Presidents Cup, which opens on Thursday at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.
Woods answered a wide range of questions from his health, to the firestorm surrounding the national anthem, to the earthquake in Mexico, during an afternoon gathering of assistants from the United States and International teams.
Tiger Woods admits his career in golf may be over pic.twitter.com/VHv39I5pru— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 27, 2017
Most of those inquiries centred on Woods’ health and if there is a timetable for his return. He acknowledged he has had “eight surgeries,” most notably on his back, and the 41-year-old hasn’t played a PGA Tour event since missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January.
“My timetable is based on what my surgeon said. As I alluded to last week, I’m hitting 60-yard shots,” said Woods, then he smiled and said, “I’m hitting it really straight ... It’s a joke, smile, OK.”
“I’m still training. I’m getting stronger,” Woods said a few minutes later. “But I certainly don’t have my golf muscles trained because obviously I’m not doing anything golf-related.”
“Well, I think it’s the pure enjoyment about, one, the competition, but also being with the guys that’s a different role, not a player,” said Woods, who has previously served as an assistant for a United States team. “I’m trying to help the other assistants, the other players, and obviously our captain. And it’s been a lot of fun.”