A enjoyable, family-filled weekend kicks off on the 2022 PNC Championship with Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie, capturing many of the headlines. Whereas youthful Woods’ swing has taken social media by storm, it’s the standing and well being of the elder one — the one who has taken social media by storm since its inception — that continues to be on the minds of most.
“I can observe. I simply cannot stroll,” Woods mentioned, echoing his feedback from the Hero World Problem. “So if you’re coping with the plantar [fasciitis] like this, it is considered one of these items the place I want relaxation, and I have not precisely been doing that.”
Creating plantar fasciitis in his proper foot, Woods was compelled to withdraw from the Hero World Problem — the occasion he hosts yearly — originally of December. Regardless of this foot harm accompanying a recovering leg and 5 prior again surgical procedures, the 82-time winner competed in The Match 7 with Rory McIlroy in opposition to Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and can hit the course once more at this week’s PNC Championship.
“It has been so much more durable than individuals most likely think about,” Woods mentioned of his street to restoration. “There’s among the gamers who’re very near me know what I’ve type of gone by way of, they usually’re those that hold encouraging me to again off a little bit bit. However that is not likely in my nature. My nature is making an attempt to get higher. And I’ve. And thru work ethic, I used to be capable of, as I mentioned, play and compete in three main championships this yr.
“And this offseason hasn’t actually been an off season. I’ve type of ramped issues up. However after this, come Monday, we shut all of it down and handle this foot in order that I can ramp up correctly. As you’ve got seen, I can hit golf balls. I can do all that. I can observe at residence. I can hit pictures across the inexperienced. I can do all that. I simply cannot get from level A to level B.”
With plans to get off his toes following the conclusion of the PNC Championship, one can not help however surprise what Woods’ future enjoying schedule might seem like. Enjoying solely 9 aggressive rounds through the 2021-22 PGA Tour season — 4 at The Masters, three on the PGA Championship and two at The Open — the 15-time main champion was hardly ever seen, an oddity golf followers must get used to.
Typical knowledge suggests Woods probably teeing it up in February on the Genesis Invitational, and possibly even The Gamers Championship in early March if the physique is up for it. If not, all sights stay on Augusta Nationwide for The Masters in April in what could be the primary of 4 main championship appearances in 2023.
Maybe that’ll be it for Woods and 5 tournaments would be the max. Maybe not. There are different occasions, together with The Memorial, squarely between the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, which make sense however solely time will inform as extra details about his well being, stamina and endurance come to gentle.
What’s for sure is the lately developed plantar fasciitis is doing Woods no favors. Stripping him of a possibility to play alongside 19 of one of the best gamers on this planet in The Bahamas, it has additionally introduced a way of precariousness to his restoration timeline.
“No, not but,” Woods mentioned of realizing his future schedule. “As a result of if I did not have the plantar feeling like this, then, sure, I may inform you that and I would have a greater thought. However I am imagined to be resting this factor and stretching and letting it heal. However I am not doing that in the meanwhile.”
As an alternative, Woods is enjoying alongside his son as the 2 try to enhance on their runner-up efficiency from a yr in the past. With the potential for brand new accidents or aggravation of previous ones lingering, the soon-to-be 47-year-old Woods sees the larger image, and if some extra soreness is the worth he has to pay for a pair rounds together with his son, then so be it.
“I do not actually care about that [a potential setback],” mentioned Woods. “I feel being there with and alongside my son is much extra vital, and get to have an opportunity to have this expertise with him is much better than my foot being a little bit creaky.”
