Tiger’s return: A timeline

Just over a month ago, Tiger Woods said in a Presidents Cup press conference that he was unsure of his future – but on Oct 30 the 14-time major champion confirmed his latest return to professional golf at the Hero World Challenge. 

It’s a return to competitive golf quicker than anyone would have imagined when Woods said he was only hitting 60 yard shots at the Presidents Cup – but in a month’s time Tiger will mark his return at the Hero World Challenge for the second time. 

In 2016, Woods made his long-awaited return at the Albany course in the Bahamas, and will do the same as part of an 18 man field from Nov 30 – Dec 3.

Following his return last year, he played just two more events – missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and withdrawing from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Two months late he announced he had undergone a fourth back surgery which would see him sidelined for an approximate six months. 

Since then, particularly in the past month, Woods has been hinting at a return by posting a series of videos – with the latest sparking speculation from his former swing coach Hank Haney that he would make his return at this year’s Hero World Challenge.

Woods then confirmed this on Nov 30, announcing his excitement at returning in a statement on his website. 

“I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge,” Woods said. “Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field.”

“I want to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero MotoCorp for their continued support of this tournament and my foundation. I would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support during my injury.”

Tiger Woods: Timeline of the last year

➤ December 2016: Returns to Hero World Challenge. Records most birdies and most bogeys of the week but finishes 15th of 17 – it was a rocky but encouraging return. 

➤ January 27th: Makes first return to PGA Tour golf since 2015 at Farmers Insurance Open, but misses the cut – which he put down to being rusty. 

➤ February 3rd: Shoots a first round five-over 77 and then withdraws from Omega Dubai Desert Classic an hour before his second round tee time citing back spasms. 

➤ April 1st: Announces that he will not play in the Masters despite trying hard to get himself fit for the first major of the year. “He just didn’t feel he was ready,” his agent Mark Steinberg had aid.

➤ April 20th: Woods informed media via his website that he had undergone yet another back surgery (his fourth) in his latest injury setback, which was to set him back about six months.

➤ May 29th: Is charged with driving under the influence when he was found asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes-Benz at about 2 a.m. on May 29 in Jupiter, Fla. It was blamed on the fact Woodshad taken a number of prescription drugs to deal with the back pain from his surgery.

➤ June 19th: Woods tweed “I’m currently receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and sleep disorder.”

➤ August 31st: Posts first video showing him hitting greenside shots which he entitled ‘Dr has Ok’d me to start pitching’

➤ September 27th: “I don’t know what my future holds,” Woods said at the Presidents Cup. “We’re taking one step at a time, it’s a process and I’m in no hurry. My timetable is basically what my surgeon says. I’m hitting 60-yard shots, very straight right now.”

➤ October 7th: Posts 2nd video of him hitting ‘smooth iron shots’

➤ October 10th: Posts 3rd video, this time hitting more iron shots and showing off a classic club twirl while at a golf clinic with Kevin Chappell

➤ October 15th: Posts 4th video, showing him hitting driver for the first time which he titled ‘Making Progress’.

➤ October 16th: Tiger’s agent Mark Steinberg confirms that Woods had been cleared a week earlier to resume to full golf activity. Hank Haney responds to 4th video to say “That’s a swing he could win with, it’s not across the line and stuck inside coming down, a little stiff looking but it’s good enough”

➤ October 23rd: Posts most recent video ‘return the stinger’

➤ October 25th: Ian Baker-Finch wrote on twitter “Tiger played yesterday at Medalist GC he looks fit and strong and swing looks very good to me…”, while Hank Haney took to radio to announce he thought Tiger would be back playing in just over a month’s time at the Hero World Challenge

➤ October 30th: Woods announces via his website that he and Daniel Berger will fill the final two spots in the Hero World Challenge field, marking his return to professional golf.