Though he's looking forward to getting back on the course, World No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods remains unsure of when he'll be able to return to action after undergoing back surgery on March 31. The 14-time major champion was forced to skip the 2014 Masters Tournament due to ongoing back trouble and while the 38-year-old is hopeful that his recovery will continue on the correct path, he's not going to put his career in jeopardy by returning to the game prematurely. Detailing the recovery process on his personal website, Woods said that he hasn't begun full-swing training yet since the path to healing is a slow one.
“I made the decision to have surgery because physically I just couldn't make a golf swing,” Woods, who will miss this week's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, wrote. “That pretty much sums it up. I don't know when I'll be able to return but I'm doing everything I can and listening to my doctors and working on a strength program. Then we just have to see how my back is. Some people heal up in three months, some people take longer. I just don't know yet. I haven't used a sand wedge yet. I've just done putting and chip-and-runs using the same length of motion. I haven't really rotated yet.
“As far as taking a full swing, I have conference calls with my doctors every couple of weeks to see how my progress is and just kind of chart it out from there,” he continued. “Basically, you just follow a program. It's tedious because it's little rehab stuff, but you still have to do it. That's where I think the experiences of having gone through the surgeries in the past have really helped. I'm walking and able to cycle now and started swimming last week.”
Still hoping to surpass Jack Nicklaus' all-time Major Championship win total of 18, Woods understands that he'll need to be in the best shape possible if that is to happen, especially since the competition on the PGA Tour continues to improve each season. Despite missing the year's first major at Augusta National -- which was won for a second time in three year's by Bubba Watson -- Woods said that missing the Masters wasn't all that bad. He also noted that rehabilitating with girlfriend and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has made the process a bit easier as well.
“Not being able to play in the Masters for the first time wasn’t as hard for me as you might think,” he said. “I’ve missed major championships before, so this was not a new experience. It helps when I’m physically unable to play the game. That’s when it’s easy for me, and I don’t have a problem watching.
“It does help to rehab with Lindsey, but her programs are much further along than mine,” Woods said about the recovery process for Vonn, who continues to rehab from her own knee injury. “That does help when you’re not the only one suffering. It’s a good and bad thing that we’re both rehabbing at the same time. Her sessions are much longer and more developed. Her knee is getting stronger and it’s good to see. She hopes to be ready to compete again in December.”
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