News

Tiger Woods cleared by doctor to return to golf

Published

7 years ago

Oct 16, 2017

A day after Tiger Woods posted video of himself hitting driver, and six months after the golfer’s fourth back surgery, Woods’ fans are getting some very good news.

Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN’s Bob Harig Monday he’s been cleared to resume full golf activities.

“He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed,” Steinberg said. “He can do as much as he needs to do. Tiger is going to take this very, very slowly. This is good, but he plans to do it the right way.”

According to Woods’ agent, the golfer isn’t experiencing any pain as he ramps up his practice routine. Stenberg, however, was predictably mum on when the 14-time major champion could return to golf.

“We have not even talked about it,” Steinberg said. “We will see what each day brings, what each week brings.”

As recently as the Presidents Cup three weeks ago, Woods was limited to short wedge shots, so the pace of his progression from that point, and apparent lack of pain, are both excellent signs.

However, as Steinberg said, reading the tea leaves is premature at this point, although assuming Woods would like to be back in action by the Masters is a safe bet.

The 41-year-old hasn’t teed it up since withdrawing prior to the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

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41 Comments

mlecuni

Oct 19, 2017 at 4:01 am

Hate him or Love him
In the end, let his golf’s legacy talk for him

Reply Report comment
- etc.
  
  Oct 19, 2017 at 2:53 pm
  
  His legacy? Elin swinging a 9-iron!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - RMF
    
    Oct 19, 2017 at 4:21 pm
    
    More 14 majors, becoming the highest paid sporting personality, transcending his sport, inspiring a new generation of golfers, modernizing the game
    
    I could go on and on and on….
    
    Reply Report comment
Tom54

Oct 18, 2017 at 9:26 pm

The real issue is whether Tiger will return and be a ceremonial golfer. I just can’t see him playing if he doesn’t think he can be a factor out on tour anymore. It would be nice if he could play without pain (and excuses) for a year or two then he can assess his future on tour. Takes a lot of hard work to maintain a game at that level. I for one hope he can give it a whirl anyway.

Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Oct 18, 2017 at 2:51 pm

Let The Chipping Yips begin!

Reply Report comment
johnnied

Oct 18, 2017 at 12:49 pm

The spinal fusion means less rotation, meaning slower swing speed. To keep up with the big boys he’ll want to make that up which’ll put additional stress to the area right above where the fusion occurred, and then he’ll need another fusion. He needs to be more accurate, not longer.

I predict that Tiger will get back in the game but only for a short time until his back goes out again. Ask anybody who’s had that operation.

Reply Report comment
William Pierce

Oct 18, 2017 at 12:42 pm

This song is a real toe tapper! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrudlJ9x4WA

Reply Report comment
Bob Jones

Oct 18, 2017 at 12:11 pm

Geez. This is like the umpteenth return of Freddy Krueger. Enough already! What is professional golf lacking now that having TW playing would fix? Somebody please explain that to me. And exactly how will a diminished TW getting run over like a speeding truck by strong players almost half his age going to be “good for the game of golf?”

Reply Report comment
- RMF
  
  Oct 19, 2017 at 8:42 am
  
  Well the basic premise of Tiger being good for the game is that he is the most recognizable figure in the world of golf, he is the player who took the game to popularity levels never seen before.
  
  He also is one of the hardest working athlete in the world. Now whether at 41 with surgeries he would be able to compete with DJ, Thomas, Spieth, Rors, Rahm etc is another thing. Oh and the fusion surgery he had is pretty much the same surgery a chap called Davis Love III had… he was unable to compete after surgery… wait he won the Wyndham at the age of 51…
  
  If you do not like him that’s fine, I have yet to see one commentator/golfer/friend/associate or sentient being say he needing to return to save the game of golf because as you alluded it doesn’t need saved, but he is certainly good for the game and it would be ignorant to think otherwise.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - etc.
    
    Oct 19, 2017 at 3:02 pm
    
    Good for the game? You mean like Kaepernick or Magic Johnson?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - RMF
      
      Oct 19, 2017 at 4:26 pm
      
      Why is Kaepernick bad for the game? he is right to protest against what he feels is unfair system… Isn’t America meant to be a country of free speech?
      
      or is it the land where Money is speech taking a knee is disrespectful
      
      Reply Report comment
MB

Oct 18, 2017 at 3:17 am

Hurts to just watch him plant on that left leg and you can still see he’s not sure if he should as he squeezes his cheeks when he pulls his club back

Reply Report comment
- Eldrick T
  
  Oct 18, 2017 at 3:40 am
  
  Not cheeks, but gluteus. Get it right. But I don’t have much gluteus to squeeze, is why I look like I squeeze my cheeks to get my knees closer
  
  Reply Report comment
larry

Oct 17, 2017 at 8:33 pm

looser please don’t come back

Reply Report comment
- RMF
  
  Oct 18, 2017 at 5:05 am
  
  You go first, Tiger is the GOAT and will return… If you don’t like it don’t read articles written about him and comment on them
  
  Reply Report comment
- chinchbugs
  
  Oct 18, 2017 at 7:22 am
  
  Please explain to those of us less educated what a looser is. Thanks!
  
  Reply Report comment
- candidresponses
  
  Oct 18, 2017 at 9:37 pm
  
  And I was so sure someone of your intellectual stature would know the difference between a “loser” and “looser.” How sad that an internet troll such as Larry here wouldn’t know the difference.
  
  Reply Report comment
M. Vegas

Oct 17, 2017 at 7:04 pm

Let the appearance fee action start…
Do I hear $8 million?

Reply Report comment
- M. Vegas
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 7:05 pm
  
  *auction
  
  Reply Report comment
Pete

Oct 17, 2017 at 6:40 pm

I am not a Tiger fan but I do hope that he is able to comeback and be competitive. It will be good for the game of golf.

Reply Report comment
- Eldrick T
  
  Oct 18, 2017 at 3:41 am
  
  I just want to get out there and see if I can pick up any more ladies, to see if I still got it. I’m not that ugly
  
  Reply Report comment
nyguy

Oct 17, 2017 at 3:53 pm

yawn…

Reply Report comment
Andrew

Oct 17, 2017 at 3:07 pm

Steinberg needs his meal tickets and toilet paper dollars, Tiger. Hurry back. The tribe needs you.

Reply Report comment
- etc.
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 6:03 pm
  
  Steinburg and Weinstein too….
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike C

Oct 17, 2017 at 2:16 pm

Here is why I think Tiger will play very well when he comes back and gets enough tournaments under his belt. The area where his fusion took place S1 to L5 there is almost zero rotation. So it should have no real effect on his ability to make a golf swing. This surgery should and apparently has left him pain free. We haven’t seen a Tiger Woods without debilitating nerve pain since he went down on his knees during the 2013 Fedex cup playoffs. The last time Tiger was truly healthy was 4 years ago and he was player of the year and #1 in the official world golf rankings. He doesn’t have to win 5+ times a year and regain his #1 ranking for this comeback to be deemed successful. He only has to to be 80% the player he was just 4 years ago. That seems very possible. Good luck Tiger.

Reply Report comment
- golfreality
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm
  
  80% and hell be playing web.com events
  
  Reply Report comment
- etc.
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 5:59 pm
  
  Spinal fusion from S1 to L5 means he will have problems mounting and pumping the jam. He will have to take it on his back, otherwise he will jeopardize his spine and golf swing.
  Elin’s schadenfreude? LOL
  
  Reply Report comment
cgasucks

Oct 17, 2017 at 8:49 am

I really hope that he comes back and stays there. I don’t expect him to win every 3rd tournament like the old days but I do like to see him be on the first page of the leaderboard most of the time.

Reply Report comment
- LD
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 9:46 am
  
  Good luck with that.
  
  Reply Report comment
Steve Sands

Oct 16, 2017 at 10:25 pm

Please take your time Tiger. We all want to see you back, and preferably making a healthy run.

Reply Report comment
- etc.
  
  Oct 19, 2017 at 3:00 pm
  
  IOW…. the Champions Tour?
  
  Reply Report comment
ACTUAL FACTS

Oct 16, 2017 at 10:17 pm

I sincerely hope that Tiger makes a healthy lasting comeback to the game of golf.

Reply Report comment
- golfreality
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 2:53 pm
  
  i hope the cheating egotistical drug addict never makes a cut again y pull for this guy i dont get it.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - etc.
    
    Oct 17, 2017 at 6:01 pm
    
    He’s Black History.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Boobsy McKiss
    
    Oct 18, 2017 at 1:42 am
    
    Another perfect human being speaks his mind. Sickening how people on the internet refuse to forgive anyone for their past transgressions. There seems to be no forgiving anymore, only disdain, wretched hate, and constant vilifying until the person is beat down so much they go into hiding. Your comment speaks volumes to the sad state of society these days.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Forsbrand
      
      Oct 18, 2017 at 6:24 am
      
      Couldn’t be more to the point!!! Quite disgusting how through decades of supposed progression we still have individuals expressing such dinosaur comments. I’m always amazed would people still have the same views if in a room with these same people they have to troll on the internet.
      
      I’ve said this so many times, we have some young members on here please keep it clean and stick to golf!!!
      
      Reply Report comment
    - Lance
      
      Oct 18, 2017 at 12:01 pm
      
      ^^^White trash liberal women weeping for their fantasy man. VVV
      
      Reply Report comment
  - RMF
    
    Oct 19, 2017 at 8:50 am
    
    @golfreality I think you will find loads of exceptionally talented people battle with demons, whether they be athletes, musicians, mathematicians, actors. Just go and write a list of extremely successful people and you will find it littered with drunks, addicts etc you will also find it littered with people who have committed suicide come from broken homes, people with mental illnesses.
    
    People generally want to see them succeed as it shows you problems and challenges are there to be overcome and personal/mental/physical issues should not be a boundary if you have the drive to fight through them
    
    But I will assume you only listen to the clean living singers, only watch tv shows with actors who fit into your perfect world view
    
    If you don’t you are a hypocrite and should probably keep your mouth shut!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - etc.
      
      Oct 19, 2017 at 2:59 pm
      
      …. but is he worthy of respect by young golfers, given his sordid past life? Forgiveness must be earned, not expected by a multi-millionaire trying to squeeze the last million$$$$ out of the golf industry…. Nike too.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - RMF
        
        Oct 19, 2017 at 4:35 pm
        
        Of course he is worthy of respect and if you look at how the younger tour players flock to him you’ll understand he has their respect.
        
        As for forgiveness this is something that can only be given.
        
        Alexander Pope – To err is human; to forgive, divine
        
        Asa Don Brown – A life lived without forgiveness is a life lived in the past
        
        Martin Luther King Jr – We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Busty McBoob
      
      Oct 20, 2017 at 2:16 am
      
      Spot on chap. Spot on indeed.
      
      If the internet had been around in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the ‘bad’ things athletes do these days would mostly pale in comparison. But, people like to harp on these guys because they’re rich and insanely successful. And because a lot of people have a jealous rage that burns inside of them. So much so, they have to focus on other people’s lives rather than bettering their own.
      
      Reply Report comment

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News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

1 day ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

2 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

2 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.