Tiger Woods is plotting his return.
Woods, sidelined from competitive golf since August 2015, announced Wednesday via his website that he hopes to compete in the Safeway Open, which runs from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16 at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.
The 40-year-old also hopes to compete in the Turkish Airlines Open, scheduled for the first weekend in November in Antalya, Turkey, and the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge, which takes place Dec. 1 to Dec. 4 at Albany in the Bahamas.
“My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do,” Woods said, per his official website. “Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.
“I’m looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I’m also excited to return to Turkey and Albany. It could be a fun fall.”
Woods has undergone two back surgeries since finishing tied for 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August 2015. He officially withdrew from the 2016 PGA Championship in July and announced he wouldn’t participate in any competitions for the rest of the 2016 season.
But a new season soon will be upon us, and Wednesday’s announcement suggests we might finally see the 14-time major champion back on the course, even if questions still hang over his long-term future.
“It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn’t rush it,” Woods said. “It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters. But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I’ve been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never waned.”
Woods’ last major victory came at the 2008 U.S. Open.
Thumbnail photo via Rob Kinnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
