Tiger Woods - © Wikimedia Commons

Approaching the first anniversary of his horrific car accident in Los Angeles that changed the trajectory of his career, Woods did not give a timetable for his return to competition, but reaffirmed that he intended to come back.

"I wish I could tell you when I'm going to play again", he said. “I would like to know, but I don't. »

Woods is here at Riviera not as a player but as host of the Genesis Invitational, where 19 of the top 25 players in the world have gathered. For Woods, there has been breathless speculation of another tournament start after he impressed at the PNC in December, when he competed alongside his son Charlie in the 36-hole, under-10-month-old exhibition. after the accident.

Continuing to temper expectations of his return, Tiger Woods recalled there's a significant difference between riding around in a golf cart "like a weekend warrior" and battling against the best in the world - all younger, older. fit and stronger – in a major championship.

Progress has been slow. Over the past two months, he said his golf activity has been "very limited," with more emphasis on his short game and short iron game. Woods said he didn't spend much time on his longer clubs because the load on his back leg puts more torque and tension on his bruised body.

More than any technical aspect of his swing, as he adjusts to his new limits, Tiger Woods said his biggest challenge is actually the most fundamental in tournament golf: walking.

"I can walk on a treadmill all day, it's easy", did he declare. “It's straight – there are no bumps in the road. But walking on a golf course where there are undulations, I have a long way to go. My leg was not in a very good position about a year ago, and I had to deal with many operations and many different scenarios. »

“It was difficult, but I made it this far. I've come all this way, and I still have a long way to go. Every day is a fight, and I'm happy to lead it. I get up in the morning and go do a few more rounds. »

Naturally, the conversation around Tiger Woods will soon shift to his preparation for the Masters, which begins in seven weeks. Although he said he could walk the Par 3 Contest now, he is not sure if he will. Answers regarding his fitness for the tournament proper will come later.

"What's frustrating is that it's not on my schedule", did he declare. “I want to be somewhere, but I'm not there. I just have to keep working. I am improving, yes, but not at the speed and pace that I would like. You also have to take into account the age factor (he turned 46 in December). You don't heal as quickly, which is frustrating. »

To read our last article on the same subject :

Tiger Woods' first words since his accident