Uncategorized

Tiger Woods fans all say the same thing as golf legend shares

By Al Faqiih December 14, 2024

Tiger Woods fans all say the same thing as golf legend shares glimpse into TGL’s high-tech arena

Tiger Woods teased golf fans with a behind-the-scenes glimpse at his long-awaited venture with Rory McIlroy.

TGL, the indoor, technology-driven circuit founded by Woods and McIlroy, is finally set to debut in the New Year, airing for the first time on January 7.

Despite sparking concerns about his health earlier this month, Woods is set to tee it up in the inaugural season of the tech-infused league with his team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, which comprises of Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner alongside the captain, on January 14.

And, with less than a month to go until its launch, Woods shared a sneak peek into the high-tech setup inside the SoFi Center, a purpose-built arena, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where matches will take place.

ESPN shared a clip of the 15-time major winner testing out the simulator as he fired shots from one of three mats at the giant screen with his driver.

The snippet ramped up excitement among golf fans, as many confessed they couldn’t wait to see the league in action.

‘Actually looks kinda dope lol,’ another said, while a third added, ‘I’m here for it,’ with three fire emojis.

‘At first I thought this idea was dumb, but I am actually kind of excited to watch it now,’ another confessed.

Woods has not played since bombing out of the Open Championship at Royal Troon and subsequently undergoing microdecompression surgery for nerve impingement on his lower back in September.

But other fans took Woods’ form in front of the simulator as a positive update as they seemed shocked at his ability so soon after surgery.

‘Perfect timing of Tigers career to launch this. Can’t wait,’ one fan referenced to Woods’ on-course struggles in recent years due to his health battles.

‘That’s some serious swing speed,’ another added, appraising the golf legend’s game.

‘Thought he just had back surgery now he’s swinging like this,’ one shocked fan questioned, as another echoed, ‘Didn’t he just have back surgery?’

Woods raised concerns among golf fans at the beginning of the month when he opted not to play in the Hero World Challenge.

‘I don’t. I really don’t,’ the 48-year-old admitted when asked if he had a target to return to the course during his pre-tournament press conference as host.

‘I’m just progressively trying to test it, keep making progress without setting it off. I don’t want to have any setbacks, just want to keep making progress and give myself the best chance going into next year as possible.

‘I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I’ve got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.’

But it was later revealed Woods will make his return next week as he continues the tradition of teeing it up alongside son Charlie at the PNC Championship.

Woods also told Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig that he should be good to go for TGL’s debut in January.

The opening contest of the 15-match season will see New York Golf Club – comprised of Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young – go up against The Bay Golf Club side of Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry.

TGL is run by TMRW Sports, the business venture launched by Woods and McIlroy in the summer of 2022.

The league boasts a host of high-profile backers, including tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams along with NBA superstar Steph Curry and Liverpool and Boston Red Sox owners the Fenway Sports Group.

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Uncategorized

New Tiger Woods TGL clip prompts unanimous reaction

By Al Faqiih December 14, 2024

Tiger Woods has been spotted hitting golf balls into TGL’s giant simulator for the very first time ahead of the launch next January.

Tiger Woods has become the latest player to test out the giant simulator ahead of the launch of TGL.

Tomorrow Golf League, the technology-driven competition headlined by the 15-time major champion and Rory McIlroy, will air for the first time on 7 January.

Matches will take place at the SoFi Center, a purpose-built arena, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

There are six teams in the league, comprising of the very best PGA Tour players.

There are no LIV Golf players in action.

ESPN uploaded a clip of Woods testing out the simulator on 13 January.

Recently, Billy Horschel and Justin Rose appeared to be gobsmacked when they saw the venue for the very first time.

Unsurprisingly, golf fans got excited when they saw the clip of Woods.

“First driver swing we’ve seen in a long time,” one X user said.

Another added: “The swing looks great, he’s still got it.”

The 82-time PGA Tour winner is scheduled to make his latest injury comeback next week when he competes in the PNC Championship with his teenage son Charlie.

Woods, who turns 49 later this month, has not played any form of competitive golf since he missed the cut at this summer’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

He underwent his sixth career back surgery in September to alleviate the pain he was feeling and to prevent further spasms.

Woods made his first public appearance since that surgery earlier in the month when he hosted the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Once again, he was hesitant to make any declarations about what his playing schedule could look like in 2025.

Approximately 12 months ago, Woods suggested he could play at least one event per month, including the four major championships.

But that failed to materialise.

The opening contest of the 15-match season sees New York Golf Club – comprised of Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young – face The Bay Golf Club side of Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry.

TGL is run by TMRW Sports, the sports company launched by Woods and McIlroy in August 2022.

Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams along with NBA superstar Stephen Curry and Liverpool owners the Fenway Sports Group are among the backers.

Take a look at the fixtures here:

**TGL FIXTURES 2025**
Date	Team	Team	Score
7 Jan	New York GC	The Bay GC	TBC
14 Jan	Los Angeles GC	Jupiter Links GC	TBC
21 Jan	New York GC	Atlanta Drive GC	TBC
27 Jan	Jupiter Links GC	Boston Common GC	TBC
4 Feb	Boston Common GC	Los Angeles GC	TBC
17 Feb	Atlanta Drive GC	Los Angeles GC	TBC
17 Feb	Atlanta Drive GC	The Bay GC	TBC
17 Feb	The Bay GC	Boston Common GC	TBC
18 Feb	Jupiter Links GC	New York GC	TBC
24 Feb	Los Angeles GC	New York GC	TBC
24 Feb	Boston Common GC	Atlanta Drive GC	TBC
25 Feb	The Bay GC	Jupiter Links GC	TBC
3 Mar	The Bay GC	Los Angeles GC	TBC
3 Mar	New York GC	Boston Common GC	TBC
4 Mar	Jupiter Links GC	Atlanta Drive GC	TBC

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GOLF

Tiger Woods in 2000: Event results, record and earnings on the PGA Tour

By Al Faqiih December 12, 2024

Tiger Woods’ 1999 PGA Tour season was among the best in history. He won eight times (including a major), had 16 top-10s in 21 starts and earned a record $6.6 million.

He then topped that a year later.

Woods’ 2000 campaign was (and still is) arguably the greatest in golf history. Coming off four consecutive Tour wins to end ’99, he won his first two official starts in 2000 before the streak ended at Torrey Pines.

He won only once over the next three-plus months but, beginning at the Memorial, he spent the majority of the summer in the winner’s circle.

His final tally:

Starts: 20
Wins: 9
Runners-up: 4
Top-5s: 17
Earnings: $9,188,321

Woods won 45% of his starts and finished first or second in 65% of them. So good was his performance, all of his top-10 finishes were actually in the top 5 (85% for the season).

Here’s an event-by-event look at the modern, if not all-time, standard for greatness:

Tournament	Finish	Score	Margin	Earnings
Mercedes Championships	1	276 (-16)	Won in playoff	$522,000
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am	1	273 (-15)	Won by 2	$720,000
Buick Invitational	T2	274 (-14)	Lost by 4	$264,000
Nissan Open	T18	279 (-5)	Lost by 7	$37,731
WGC-Anderson Consulting Match Play	2nd	N/A	Lost in final	$500,000
Bay Hill Invitational	1	270 (-18)	Won by 4	$540,000
The Players Championship	2	279 (-9)	Lost by 1	$648,000
Masters Tournament	5	284 (-4)	Lost by 6	$184,000
GTE Byron Nelson Classic	T4	270 (-10)	Missed playoff by 1	$176,000
Memorial Tournament	1	269 (-19)	Won by 5	$558,000
U.S. Open	1	272 (-12)	Won by 15	$800,000
Advil Western Open	T23	281 (-7)	Missed playoff by 7	$26,700
The Open Championship	1	269 (-19)	Won by 8	$759,150
Buick Open	T11	275 (-13)	Lost by 7	$57,240
PGA Championship	1	270 (-18)	Won in playoff	$900,000
WGC-NEC Invitational	1	259 (-21)	Won by 11	$1,000,000
Bell Canadian Open	1	266 (-22)	Won by 1	$594,000
National Car Rental Golf Classic Disney	3	265 (-23)	Lost by 3	$204,000
The Tour Championship	2	269 (-11)	Lost by 2	$540,000
WGC-American Express Championship	T5	281 (-7)	Lost by 4	$157,500

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GOLF

3 Ways How Scottie Scheffler Ended Tiger Woods 20-Years Reign at the Top, Ranked

By Al Faqiih December 12, 2024

Hit the drums, golf fans, because the 2024 season is finally coming to an epic end! Scottie Scheffler’s season has undoubtedly been amazing, with a jaw-dropping eight PGA Tour wins, including the coveted Masters Tournament, and a dominant performance that earned him the FedExCup title. But that’s not all – Scheffler’s incredible consistency and skill on the course have made him nearly unbeatable, with a staggering 91% of the votes securing him the PGA Tour Player of the Year award for the third consecutive year.

Scheffler’s remarkable season has left fans and fellow golfers alike in awe, with many hailing him as one of the greatest golfers of his generation. But do you think his epic aura this season has earned him something that even the golfer didn’t imagine? Well, according to the latest post by Golf Digest on X, Scottie Scheffler’s incredible season has topped even legendary Tiger Woods’s in one remarkable metric – Google search interest. After 20 years of Tiger Woods dominating the search bar, Scheffler has dethroned the golf icon, becoming the most searched golfer in 2024. But how did the golfer do it? Well, I can think of a reason or two!

Valhalla arrest, obviously!

Scottie Scheffler’s arrest during the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in May was a shocking turn of events that catapulted him into the global spotlight. Scheffler’s shocking arrest at a golf course ignited a media firestorm that catapulted him to the top of Google searches, despite the charges being later dropped.

As the news spread like wildfire, fans and curious onlookers alike rushed to learn more about the young golfer, sending his search popularity skyrocketing and remarkably ending Tiger Woods’s 20-year reign as the most searched golfer of 2024.

Becoming a father

Nothing can beat the feeling of becoming a dad, not that I know anything about it, but I’m sure that’s how every dad in the whole world feels. For Scottie Scheffler, 2024 was the year he joined the dad club, welcoming his adorable son Bennett into the world. The new addition brought a fresh wave of attention, with fans and media eager to catch a glimpse of the golf star’s personal life. Scheffler had been open about his excitement to become a dad, even considering withdrawing from the Master’s Tournament if his wife Meredith went into labor. Luckily, everything worked out, and Scheffler got to celebrate his first tournament win of 2024, the Memorial Tournament, with Bennett in attendance.

Winning almost everything

Well, you can’t help but feel for Scottie Scheffler, being the world’s number-one golfer comes with a ton of pressure. But somehow, he carries that weight with incredible ease and humility. His 2024 winning streak was truly the stuff of legend, with seven PGA Tour victories, including the Masters and an Olympic gold medal. What’s even more remarkable, though, is how grounded and gracious Scheffler remains, even during all that success. He’s won over fans, fellow golfers, and commentators alike with his kindness and humility. As his trophy collection grew, so did the fascination with this golf phenomenon. People everywhere were eager to learn more about the man who seemed unstoppable in his pursuit of greatness. And with three Player of the Year awards in a row, it’s no surprise that Scheffler was the most searched golfer of 2024.

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GOLF

‘Scheffler makes points while impressing Woods with Tiger feats’

By Al Faqiih December 10, 2024

Scottie Scheffler did not need another wad of world ranking points to prove what is already abundantly clear – he is by a distance the best golfer in the world.

The 28-year-old American capped an extraordinary 2024 by emerging from a two-month hibernation to romp to a six stroke victory at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last Sunday.

The outcome was never in doubt. It was another dominant display from the reigning Masters, Players and Olympic champion, who was last seen competitively at September’s Presidents Cup.

There are, though, a couple of caveats. This win came from a field of only 20 players and Scheffler was one of only three members of the world’s top 10 on display.

It is clear that exceptional levels of golfing magic continue to course through the veins of the game’s supreme exponent. He emphatically proved this by finishing 25 under par to defend his title.

“He doesn’t really do anything wrong,” observed tournament host Tiger Woods.

The consistency of his performances demands that we compare him with the 15- times major champion. Historically Woods is miles ahead, but the current world number one is achieving Tiger-like feats.

Scheffler was 293 under par for his 21 starts this year. He won nine of those tournaments – or 42.9% of them – to tie Woods and Vijay Singh for the most prolific seasons in terms of wins.

The tall Texan is the first male player to start and finish the year as world number one since Woods in 2009.

Woods gained more ranking points in 2000, while he was completing the Tiger-slam of all four majors, as well as 2005 and 2006.

Each time he smashed the 700 point barrier and now Scheffler has become the only other player to manage that mark in a calendar year.

For context, his tally of 727 points in 2024 compares with 444 for Xander Schauffele, who won The Open and US PGA Championship, and 347 for world number three and Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy.

While watching the final round in the Bahamas, Woods described Scheffler’s unconventional footwork as “the contortions he gets into” but could not hide his admiration for the quality and control of the champion’s ball striking.

“If you stand behind him and watch the ball flight it is very tight either way,” Woods added.

“Yes, he’s making a significant number of birdies, but he’s not making any mistakes. No doubles, no loose bogeys here and there.”

These were the qualities of golfing discipline patented by Woods in his pomp.

Then there is Scheffler’s work on the greens, which was his perceived Achilles heel until he successfully switched to a mallet style putter under the tutelage of British coach Phil Kenyon in the early part of the season.

And now, a further refinement with Scheffler adopting a ‘claw’ grip for shorter putts with encouraging early signs. “What is that thing?” the ultra orthodox Woods joked when he first saw the new method last week.

“You know he can do it either way,” the former world number one added. “He’s got amazing feel.

“You can see it around his short game and trajectory control into greens. If he has consistency on the greens he’s going to finish top 10 every week and pick off a lot (of wins).”

Scheffler collected just over 30 world ranking points for his six stroke victory over Tom Kim to further cement his place at the top of the world standings.

Yes, it might seem fitting that such a dominating performance should gain due recognition in the rankings – but this was an invitation tournament with a severely restricted field.

It does little for the credibility of the official rankings at a time when the breakaway LIV tour, with its 54-man fields, is not recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings.

Whether LIV should receive points is a separate argument, but the fact that the Hero does seems inconsistent. By finishing runner-up in the Bahamas, Kim climbed six places to 21 in the world.

Justin Thomas, who was third, climbed from 25 to 22. These are helpful elevations for these players but they were not gained by beating golfers scrapping for their futures, as was the case – for example – in the International Series event in Saudi Arabia.

Joaquin Niemann beat a full field at the Asian Tour’s season finale last weekend and received a fraction more than 21 world ranking points, which was more than nine fewer than Scheffler gained for beating just 19 fellow competitors.

Yes the players in Saudi were of a lower calibre (although Niemann had to beat former Open champion Cameron Smith in a play-off) but there was a competitive intensity in the Middle East that was much less apparent at Woods’ event.

So add this factor in the continuing erosion of the validity of the world rankings to the list of so many things that need sorting out in the men’s game. It still remains dangerously split since the 2022 arrival of the LIV Golf League.

Its commissioner Greg Norman has confirmed he is leaving his post in the near future, which is a rare certainty in a period of continuing turbulence. Maybe the departure of the abrasive Aussie offers a path to peace, who knows?

But, at a time when inevitabilities are in such short supply, there is one banker. Whenever the biggest names come together next year, Scheffler will remain the man to beat.

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GYMNASTICS

Tiger Woods Swears by This Fitness Habit but Struggling Simone Biles Refuses to Continue

By Al Faqiih December 5, 2024

Simone Biles isn’t just the GOAT in gymnastics—she’s the kind of athlete who could dominate any sport if she wanted to. This powerhouse hits heights of 12 feet—yep, higher than Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s tallest player. And she’s no stranger to flexing her skills off the mat. Case in point: that time she raced her husband Jonathan Owens’ Packers teammate, Christian Watson. Watson might have stumbled into a win, but even he admitted, “Gymnasts are sneaky fast.” She’s even proven she can hold her own in men’s gymnastics, too. In a playful Instagram face-off, she and fellow Olympian Fred Richard went toe-to-toe trying out each other’s moves.

From flares to the iconic Japanese handstand, Simone nailed it all, earning Fred’s playful praise: “Almost better than me.” She’s a multi-sport marvel, effortlessly owning every challenge thrown her way. Still, even a superhuman like Simone has her kryptonite. For Simone Biles, there’s one exercise that’s been following her around for a while, and it’s one that many athletes—like Tiger Woods—swear by as their favorite. But Simone? She’s not having it. After her first attempt post-Paris, she flat-out refused to continue.

Simone Biles has found her Achilles‘ heel

Whenever the 27-year-old steps on the mat, the world stops and watches. They can’t help but do it. Simone Biles has proved her mettle on the mat by becoming one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world. She even shattered the glass ceiling and changed the whole meaning of what being an elite athlete is like. But on December 4, the Olympian posted a cheeky story on Instagram. What did she say? “first time working out since the Olympics… this is what I wore to a Pilates class that I will never be attending again! y’all stay strong out there lmao… it was too hard.”

Posing in a chic fit from her Athleta X Simone Biles line, the Olympian looked as amazing as ever. However, her classic sense of humor might catch everyone off guard. We’ve often considered the gymnast a superhuman. Yet, it isn’t quite surprising that she hasn’t taken a liking to Pilates. In 2020, the gymnast took part in a Pilates workout class with fellow Olympian Katie Ledecky and Joi Wade while discussing their 2021 personal fitness goals during an event sponsored by Visa and Capital One.

While Ledecky found the time to fit Pilates into her routine, the same can’t be said about Simone Biles. Even though she has incredible athleticism and flexibility, she has harbored a love-hate relationship with Pilates. Well, color us surprised. Despite it all, the 27-year-old couldn’t keep up with an ‘elite-level’ class. It looks like her feelings from back then haven’t changed at all. However, what does the G.O.A.T.’s intense training entail?

The 27-year-old follows a strict routine that includes being at the gym from 9 am to 12 pm, promptly followed by a lunch break. What does the gymnast eat, you ask? To ensure she gets her daily dose of protein, it would usually be chicken or fish, followed by a quick snack. The Olympian would then head back to the gym and train from 3 pm to 6 pm. However, she has also incorporated cross-training into the routine. This includes swimming, running, biking, and more. She also indulges in bodyweight exercises, core strengthening, and resistance training. Even though the 11x Olympic medalist is not a fan, a few other athletes think otherwise.

Tiger Woods and LeBron James have incorporated Pilates into their life

Simone Biles reinvented the meaning of being an athlete. But Tiger Woods also played a part in redefining a golfer’s fitness. How’s that, you ask? Before the golf legend stepped onto the course, there wasn’t a fitness standard to hold anyone up to. However, many took his core strength, incredible flexibility, and balance as a path to success. What did he do to stand out from the crowd?

The 48-year-old has a very rigorous routine, and Pilates holds a special place there. It has become a huge part of the sport, where it has been recognized as a must-have to improve the game and prolong one’s career. On the other hand, the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens partnered with All-American Pilates to open the PGA Pilates studio. However, he isn’t the only one.

NBA superstar LeBron James has snuck Pilates into his intense training regime. In the middle of his seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he would often train at a location in Akron, Ohio. Why, you ask? He would often swim and take yoga or Pilates classes. He credited his off-season endeavors for his stamina and flexibility during the seasons.

These often would allow him to play more than 40 minutes every game without any issues. Why did he take these classes? According to the athlete, he always took on new things to stay above the curve. But if you’re hoping to catch a professional basketball player during these training sessions, then you’re mistaken. “We hold a secret society over there. We don’t tell too many people,” he told reporters years ago. Pilates might have helped these athletes progress in their illustrious careers. However, Simone Biles wouldn’t want to be a part of that group.

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GOLF

When Tiger Woods Could Return to Golf

By Al Faqiih December 4, 2024

Tiger Woods could play golf as early as next month.

The former world No.1 golfer spoke to the sport’s media Tuesday, ahead of the Hero World Challenge, which is a tournament he hosts every year in December at the 7,414-yard, par-72 Albany Golf Course in The Bahamas.

Woods typically competes at the tournament himself but told reporters this week that he’s not yet “tournament sharp.” Elaborating, he said: “These are 20 of the best players in the world and I’m not sharp enough to compete against them at this level.”

Woods confirmed he wouldn’t compete this week in a post on X last month.

When Tiger Woods Could Next Play Golf

Woods could compete in January, 2025

Woods is not competing because of recent physical ailments, including back surgery from which he continues to recover from. He’s had back issues throughout the year, and said Tuesday that “it just continued getting worse” from the start of 2024 onwards.

He said: “I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did. It was quite painful through the end of the year, and thus I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain going down my leg. I’m trying to rehab it … to give myself the best chance I can going into next year.”

Woods is the most famous name in his sport, and one of the most famous in all sports, thanks to his 15 major championship wins, 82 wins on the PGA Tour, and a rarified billionaire status for an athlete.

But his story is also one that cannot be told without mentioning an incident in 2021 that saw him taken to hospital, after he was involved in a car crash, and had to go through surgery to repair fractures in his right leg, together with a broken ankle. He said at the time it was likely he’d struggle to play golf competitively again. Surgeries through the years have alleviated some of the pain, and issues he has while standing, walking, and golfing.

Though he will not compete at this weekend’s Hero World Challenge, there is an off-chance he could play in TGL — a new golf league formed by himself, as well as Rory McIlroy, in partnership with the PGA Tour. TGL is a league that pits teams of three against each other in two-hour matches at a custom-built venue that merges real-world golf with technology with simulation. TGL golf is due to begin January 7.

Woods could also compete in the PNC Championship because that tournament does permit the use of golf carts, which is something that Woods could benefit from, considering the issues he’s had playing four-day tournament golf while constantly on his feet, walking a course. The PNC Championship is even sooner than TGL, as it takes place December 19 to 22 in Orlando, Florida.

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GOLF

‘US Ryder Cup players should get $5m and donate to charity’

By Al Faqiih December 4, 2024

Tiger Woods has suggested that each American player in the Ryder Cup should receive $5m (£3.9m) and give that money to charity.

Last month it was reported that the 12 US players competing at next year’s 45th staging of the biennial contest against Europe, at Bethpage Black in New York, will each earn $400,000.

In its 97-year history, players have never received money for playing for their respective teams.

“We had the same conversation back in 1999,” said Woods.

“We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity, [but] the media turned it round against us and said we wanted to get paid.

“The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?

“I hope they [USA’s players] get five million dollars each and donate it all to different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?

“It’s so hard to get on to that team – there are only 12 guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more funds?”

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy said he would “pay to play” for Europe in the Ryder Cup in the wake of the reports.

Asked what that says about the Europeans’ attitude towards the Ryder Cup, Woods replied: “That’s fine, that’s their right to say.

“If the Europeans want to pay to be in the Ryder Cup then that’s their decision, that’s their team.

“I know once on European soil it subsidises most of their tour, so it is a big event for the European tour. If they want to pay to be in it, so be it.”

‘I’m not tournament sharp’

Woods says the “fire still burns to compete” but he remains sidelined by injury heading into 2025.

Woods, a 15-time major-winner, has not played since The Open in July where he failed to make the cut for the third consecutive major.

While the past few years have seen the American blighted by injuries, the 48-year-old remains focused on a competitive return.

“I’m not tournament sharp yet, I’m still not there,” said Woods.

“When I’m ready to compete and play at [the top] level, then I will.

“The fire still burns to compete. The difference is the recovery of the body to do it is not what it used to be.”

Woods’ most recent setback has been because of back issues that have spread, causing pain in his legs.

In September, Woods had back surgery for the sixth time, two months on from his last outing at Royal Troon.

“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year,” added Woods, speaking at this week’s Hero World Challenge event he hosts in the Bahamas.

“It was quite painful throughout the end of the year, and hence I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain I had going down my leg.

“I feel like I’m getting stronger, I’m getting more pliable, but I’ve got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”

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GOLF

Woods Eyes 2025 Comeback, Says ‘Fire Still Burns’

By Al Faqiih December 4, 2024

Tiger Woods still has the passion to compete and is working to get his body back in shape for next year, he said on Tuesday at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, after another injury curtailed his 2024 season.
Woods has not played since July and he underwent surgery for nerve impingement on his lower back in September, an injury that he said took him by surprise and caused him tremendous pain.

He was widely expected to take one of three exemption spots for the tournament he has hosted since 2000, an unofficial event that features 20 of the world’s top players, but said late last month that he would not compete.

“This year was kind of – I had to toss it away and I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and I didn’t play as much as I needed to going into the major championships and I didn’t play well at them,” said Woods, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship and US Open.

He withdrew from February’s Genesis Invitational after the first round due to illness and in April finished 60th at the Masters, where he claimed his 15th major title five years ago.

“Hopefully next year will be better, I’ll be physically stronger and better. I know the procedure helped and hopefully that I can then build upon that,” he told reporters.

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GOLF

Golf fans react to big Tiger Woods update at…

By Al Faqiih December 2, 2024

Golf fans react to big Tiger Woods update at Hero World Challenge

Tiger Woods will address the media for the first time since the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July when he rocks up at the Hero World Challenge on Tuesday.

Tiger Woods will deliver his first health update to the media during a press conference at the Hero World Challenge at Albany in the Bahamas on Tuesday.

Woods, who turns 49 on 30 December, will be addressing the media for the first time since he missed the cut at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in Scotland in mid July.

The 15-time major champion then underwent the sixth back surgery of his career shortly after The Open.

Woods has since been sidelined ever since.

He underwent microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve inpingement in the lower back.

The surgery was performed in West Palm Beach and his doctor ‘deemed it to be successful’.

He was hoping to return to competitive action at his annual Hero World Challenge this week but he is still not ready to roll.

Woods made an announcement on 25 November.

“I’m disappointed I will not be able to compete at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week @HeroMotorCorp,” Woods wrote in a statement.

Prior to Woods undergoing back surgery, he was already going through recovery for his ankle and leg.

That was all a result of his horror car crash where he nearly lost his life in Los Angeles in February 2021.

The Hero World Challenge is hosted by Woods and the PGA Tour but since it’s a limited 20-man field event it does not count as an unofficial event on the schedule.

There are Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points available, which certainly ruffles a few feathers over on LIV Golf.

Woods will, however, be in attendance at his own tournament this week where runaway World No.1 Scottie Scheffler defends the title.

Scheffler is a red-hot favourite this week.

Woods’ press conference is set for Tuesday 3 December at 9am local time.

That is 2pm for U.K. fans.

Woods is expected to provide the media with an update of his health and whether or not he might be able to participate in the PNC Championship alongside Charlie Woods just before Christmas.

The former World No.1 played in all four majors in 2024 but he missed the cut in three of them.

His only made cut came at The Masters but he went on to finish dead last in solo 60th of those that made the weekend at Augusta National.

Woods will be able to play on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026 once he turns 50 at the end of 2025.

He needs to win just one more tournament on the PGA Tour to set an outright record for 83 wins.

Woods currently shares the record with late great Sam Snead on 82 wins.

Here’s how golf fans have reacted to news that Woods is holding a press conference on Tuesday:

Let’s hope it’s positive news

Will TW ever return to greatness?

Just hoping it has addressed the spasms that he was experiencing

Shame he can’t play this week

We haven’t seen a single clip of him swinging a club since his surgery, he can’t be anywhere near close to playing again

Let’s hope he’s in for the PNC

Surely time to retire now

Sadly his career is over

Not a chance he ever wins again

Tiger will hack up when he’s in a cart on the Champions Tour but can’t see any more PGA Tour wins now

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