Tiger Woods cleared for full practice

Just weeks after admitting he may never play competitive golf again, Tiger Woods has been cleared to resume full golf activity as he continues to climb his comeback mountain. With April’s back fusion surgery in his rearview mirror – the fourth back surgery the 79-time PGA TOUR winner has faced in the last few years – Woods has been cautiously optimistic about a return to competitive golf. At the Presidents Cup last month, where he served as a Captain’s Assistant for Steve Stricker, Woods was even asked if the possibility existed of his career being over. “Yeah, definitely,� he said. “I don’t know what my future holds for me.� But the two-time FedExCup champion and 14-time major winner also stated his desire to return. “I think it’s fun. I’ve been competing in golf tournaments since I was four years old. From pitch, putt and drive to playing major championships, it’s always been fun to me,� Woods beamed. “I don’t know what (returning to) 100 percent means after eight surgeries, but I’ll try and get as close as I can to that number. We just take it one step at a time. It’s a process, and I’m in no hurry.� The slow pace on return has been confirmed by his long-time agent Mark Steinberg, who told ESPN’s Bob Harig that Woods had been given the all-clear from his doctor, but a timetable on competition was not yet in the works. Speculation has already begun on a possible return at the Hero World Challenge in December after Woods posted progressive social media video over the last few weeks hitting a wedge, then an iron and finally a driver. “Making progress,� he tweeted. Woods returned to the event he hosts in the Bahamas last year after a lengthy layoff and produced a credible performance, leading the field in total birdies but also having enough rust to finish 15th of 18 starters. Sadly, after a missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January Woods suffered a relapse on February 3 in Dubai. He hasn’t played since. “He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed,� Steinberg told ESPN of Woods’ recent doctor visit. “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. “We have not even talked about it (a return date). We will see what each day brings, what each week brings.� Woods sits just three wins shy of matching Sam Snead’s record 82 PGA TOUR wins but hasn’t won since his five-win 2013 season.

Click here to read the full article…