Bubba: I’ll be there to follow Tiger around

There would have been a time when Tiger Woods' peers would have dreaded seeing his name on the tee sheet. But this time it's different and the whole of the golfing world is just delighted to see him back. Here’s how his fellow players have welcomed the news.. 

Jason Day I think it’s very positive. I’m just as excited as everyone else when it comes to watching him swing a golf club. I think it’s just a little farther away from him tournament ready and playing on the PGA Tour again than most people think. Playing in the PNC is another encouraging sign. When that first video came out, it was still that Tiger swing everyone knows. It’s great to see.

Billy Horschel It looks like he’s moving pretty well. Obviously, the only difference I’ve seen is he doesn’t have the same push off from his right side. His hips don’t move as quick through the swing and is that because of the back or the leg? But hopefully he will continue to get stronger. He looks a lot better than I think anyone could have imagined from what we saw 10 months ago. We’re all happy to see him swing, and overall it looks pretty good, and I’m interested in seeing what he wants to do.

Bubba Watson After I saw his swings last week in the Bahamas, I texted him. I said, ‘Hey, are you going to play next week?’ He said, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can get around but I’m trying, I’m working.’ So it was interesting to hear that he signed up and he’s there. I’ll be there and I’ll be one of those people that follow him around, trying to see how he’s doing, making sure everything’s good. And then watching Charlie.

My son actually asked if he could take his whole bag this year. I snuck a wedge and a putter last year and let him hit balls on the range with Charlie and Tiger right there, so this year he asked if he could take his whole bag. So I can’t wait to see the whole family there, just to give him a hug and embrace him.

Brandt Snedeker It’s very encouraging to see him hitting balls. I’m very excited for him. I know he’s not going to be able to be kind of the same as he was before but I’m glad to see him swinging. Swing looks pretty good. Hopefully he can get his strength back and he can play four or five events a year.

Kevin Kisner At least he’s back swinging, and that’s a positive. And I hope he’s back here sooner than later. If he can get back here. I’ve never had a sustained injury like he has, and he’s had a lot, so I don’t know how long it takes to getting back healthy enough and feeling comfortable enough to try and get back out on the PGA Tour. But if anybody can do it, it’s him.

Sean O'Hair I think his swing looks amazing. I had some friends ask me what my opinion was of him coming back, and one thing I’ve learned with Tiger is you never bet against him. I’ve never seen anybody as determined as that man. It’s just amazing what he’s done, and I think that he looks amazing, and it hasn’t even been a year yet. I just think I’m kind of on the same page as everybody. I think everybody kind of just wants him to have a good quality of life and I think as long as he’s happy and he wants to come out and do it, he’ll find a way to do it.