Rory McIlroy confessed he’s looking forward to a return of the buzz and aura Tiger Woods generates following news the 14-time Major champ is set to return to competition.
Woods announced he was hopeful of teeing up on October 13th in the event at Napa, California and the opening tournament of the 2016/17 PGA Tour wraparound schedule.
Woods has not competed since sharing 10th place in last year’s Wyndham Championship and in what will be an absence of 14 months.
During his time on the side-line Woods underwent two operations on his troublesome back.
As well, Woods has nose-dived to be ranked 711th in the world after last topping the rankings in March 2014.
Woods also intends to compete in the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open (Nov. 3-6), in Antalya, Turkey, and the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge (Dec. 1-4), at Albany in the Bahamas.
He also will participate in the Tiger Woods Invitational (Oct. 10-11) in California.
Rory McIlroy delighted the buzz and aura that surrounds Tiger Woods is returning to golf. (Photo – Getty)
“My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do,” said Woods.
“Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.
“I’m looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I’m also excited to return to Turkey and Albany. It could be a fun fall.
“It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn’t rush it. It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters.
“But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I’ve been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never wane.”
And McIlroy, who is also considering competing in Turkey, admits has missed the buzz Woods creates.
“I sort of known for a while he was trying to start back at Napa as I had a long chat with Mark Stienberg (Woods manager) at The Open so I’m not that surprised,” said McIlroy ahead of today’s (THURS) staring BMW Championship in Indianapolis.
“So it’s good he will be back as you miss that buzz Tiger creates at tournaments and while we all focus on ourselves out here on Tour I don’t think about him when he’s not in an event.
“I’m just glad I won’t be playing the Safeway as it will be a circus over there.
“But then Tiger just brings an aura and an atmosphere that no-one else in golf can bring so I have missed that part of it for sure.
“Though given the time he has been out and his rehab after the injury he’s been through it could be difficult for him at 40-years old rather than if you were in your 20s or early 30s.
“That’s why it has been over a year since we have seen him on the golf course and has clearly taken the conservative approach, and it is the right approach, and it will be great to see him give it one last shot for the next half-a-decade or whatever it is going to be and go from there.
“So everyone is excited to have him back and hopefully he can stay healthy and be out here for a long time.”
