Woods In 'Go Mode' For Possible Playing Return

As the 2023 season drifts to a close we might well get two long-awaited outings for Tiger Woods. He last played at The Masters when he somehow made the cut at Augusta before withdrawing midway through the third round.

The 47-year-old then underwent ankle surgery and there has been the odd sighting of him though he played no part on the ground at the Ryder Cup in Rome. He has been videoed hitting balls and this week the PGA Tour is being played at El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico and Woods was seen walking gingerly but better than at the start of the year.

Stewart Cink is in the field in Mexico and he told the Golf Channel that the 15-time Major winner might be nearing a playing return.

"I did chat with him but we had other things to chat about (other than the course). Mainly I just wanted to know how he was doing. You don't always get a whole lot out of Tiger Woods but he said that he is starting practising which I think is a great sign.

"I don't know what he's practising for, but he said he's started practising. He's in go mode for something. I think we are all pulling for him to feel as good as he can feel and, if he's hitting golf balls, then I think he's going in the right direction."

Tiger hosts the Hero World Challenge which takes place at the end of November and one spot has been left open in the 20-man field, presumably for Woods. Two weeks after the Bahamas event is the PNC Championship which he has dazzled in over the past three years. The beauty of this one is that, other than playing with his son Charlie, Woods can use a cart.

At the start of 2024 we have a new 'tech-infused golf league' that is the TGL which Woods and Rory McIlroy are fronting. Jon Rahm was part of the TGL but he pulled out this week due to not being able to commit to the new venture.

"I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season," Rahm wrote on X. "While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer. Best of luck to everyone involved and may the best team win!"

In other Tiger-related news Davis Love III also commented that the 2024 captaincy is basically Woods' if he wants it. Those matches take place at Bethpage in New York in September 2025.