Tiger Woods is scheduled to appear at the Turkish Airlines Open as the sporting icon plans his return to action.
The 14-time major winner and former world number one has played a key role in the Turkish Golf Federation’s ambitious plans to grow the sport in the country and attract more and more tourists to its beautiful courses.
Tiger played in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final in 2012 and finished third in the country’s inaugural European Tour Tournament, the Turkish Airlines Open, the following year.
Before the 2013 tournament in Antalya he memorably hit a shot across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia in Istanbul.
Turkish Golf Federation President, Ahmet Agaoglu watches Tiger Woods during the pro-am ahead of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Open. (Picture Stuart Adams www.golftourimages.com: 6th November 2013)
The American, 40, has been on the sidelines with a back injury since the Wyndham Championship in August 2015 but hopes the Turkish Airlines Open, which takes place at Carya Golf Club between November 3 and November 6, will be his second tournament back.
Tiger said: “My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do.
The stunning Carya Golf Club set to play host for a first time this year to the Turkish Airlines Open.
“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.”
This year will be the fourth year of the Turkish Airlines Open, which is the first of three tournaments that make up The Race to Dubai’s ‘Final Series’.
Ahmet Agaoglu, the president of the Turkish Golf Federation, is delighted at the prospect of Tiger returning to Turkey for a third time.
He said: “Depending on his progress, to have Tiger appearing at the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya would be a huge thing for the tournament and gives us another great opportunity to showcase our country.
“Tiger is one of the biggest sport stars on the planet and to have him at our tournament again is a huge honour. Everyone is talking about it and very excited about it.”
