Is golfer Tiger Woods close to a comeback? | CNN

Tiger Woods: Is golfer close to a comeback?

By Rob Hodgetts
2 minute read
Published 1:53 PM EDT, Fri April 22, 2016
Tiger Woods says he is planning to return to action in October after missing over a year of competitive action. The 40-year-old has undergone multiple back surgeries over past year and has not competed since August 2015.
Tiger Woods says he is planning to return to action in October after missing over a year of competitive action. The 40-year-old has undergone multiple back surgeries over past year and has not competed since August 2015.
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The 14-time major winner has a long history of injury problems. Here he has cream rubbed onto his back by caddy Steve Williams during the 2004 American Express Championship.
The 14-time major winner has a long history of injury problems. Here he has cream rubbed onto his back by caddy Steve Williams during the 2004 American Express Championship.
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Woods won the the U.S. Open in 2008 -- his last major victory to date. He missed tournament in July 2011, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2011%2FSPORT%2Fgolf%2F06%2F07%2Fgolf.tiger.usopen.injury%2Findex.html">citing knee and Achilles tendon injuries</a>.
Woods won the the U.S. Open in 2008 -- his last major victory to date. He missed tournament in July 2011, citing knee and Achilles tendon injuries.
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In October 2010, Woods appears dejected after losing a match to Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the Ryder Cup teams competition in Wales. Later that month he lost his No. 1 ranking to Westwood, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks. He had taken a break from golf earlier that year after reports of marital infidelities emerged in late 2009.
In October 2010, Woods appears dejected after losing a match to Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the Ryder Cup teams competition in Wales. Later that month he lost his No. 1 ranking to Westwood, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks. He had taken a break from golf earlier that year after reports of marital infidelities emerged in late 2009.
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Woods misses a putt at the Frys.com Open in October 2011. That month, he fell out of golf's top 50 for the first time in almost 15 years. Woods reportedly lost millions in endorsements after sponsors ended their ties with him in the wake of his sex scandal.
Woods misses a putt at the Frys.com Open in October 2011. That month, he fell out of golf's top 50 for the first time in almost 15 years. Woods reportedly lost millions in endorsements after sponsors ended their ties with him in the wake of his sex scandal.
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Despite his problems, Woods remained a key attraction -- being invited to the 2011 Australian Open, where he finished third. That year he was the highest-paid American athlete on <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.topendsports.com%2Fworld%2Flists%2Fearnings%2Ffortunate-50-2011.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list</a>.
Despite his problems, Woods remained a key attraction -- being invited to the 2011 Australian Open, where he finished third. That year he was the highest-paid American athlete on Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list.
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In July 2011, Woods dropped Williams, his caddy of 12 years. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2011%2FSPORT%2Fgolf%2F07%2F20%2Fgolf.woods.caddie.williams%2Findex.html">Woods said</a>.
In July 2011, Woods dropped Williams, his caddy of 12 years. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said.
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After a nearly three-month break, Woods returned to golf at the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2011.
After a nearly three-month break, Woods returned to golf at the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2011.
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In August 2011, Woods<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2011%2FSPORT%2Fgolf%2F08%2F12%2Fgolf.pga.woods.cut%2Findex.html"> failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship</a> for the first time in his career. He has won the season's closing major on four occasions, most recently in 2007.
In August 2011, Woods failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship for the first time in his career. He has won the season's closing major on four occasions, most recently in 2007.
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In October 2011, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2F10%2F05%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fgolf-tiger-woods-rolex%2Findex.html">Woods landed Rolex as a sponsor </a>despite not having won a major tournament in nearly two years. "Rolex is convinced that Tiger Woods still has a long career ahead of him," the high-end watchmaker said. The following month he played for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
In October 2011, Woods landed Rolex as a sponsor despite not having won a major tournament in nearly two years. "Rolex is convinced that Tiger Woods still has a long career ahead of him," the high-end watchmaker said. The following month he played for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
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In December 2011, Woods earned his first win in two years at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2F12%2F04%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fcalifornia-tiger-woods%2Findex.html">Chevron World Challenge</a>, a charity tournament that he hosts which does not count on the PGA Tour money list.
In December 2011, Woods earned his first win in two years at the Chevron World Challenge, a charity tournament that he hosts which does not count on the PGA Tour money list.
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Woods lines up his putt at the Honda Classic in March 2012. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2012%2F03%2F05%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fgolf-mcilroy-augusta-woods">He shot a 62, his lowest final round as a professional</a>, but he tied for second in the PGA Tour event.
Woods lines up his putt at the Honda Classic in March 2012. He shot a 62, his lowest final round as a professional, but he tied for second in the PGA Tour event.
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Woods signs autographs at the<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F03%2F25%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fgolf-arnold-palmer-tiger%2Findex.html"> Arnold Palmer Invitational</a> in March 2012. His win there marked his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009.
Woods signs autographs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2012. His win there marked his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009.
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Woods drops the ball on the 15th fairway during the final round of the AT&T National in July 2012. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F07%2F02%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fgolf-woods-congressional-nicklaus%2Findex.html">He overtook Jack Nicklaus</a> for second place on the all-time PGA Tour victory list and now has 79 overall -- three behind Sam Snead's record.
Woods drops the ball on the 15th fairway during the final round of the AT&T National in July 2012. He overtook Jack Nicklaus for second place on the all-time PGA Tour victory list and now has 79 overall -- three behind Sam Snead's record.
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
In 2012, Woods became the first PGA Tour player to earn $100 million when he finished third at the Deutsche Bank Championship, taking home more than $500,000.
In 2012, Woods became the first PGA Tour player to earn $100 million when he finished third at the Deutsche Bank Championship, taking home more than $500,000.
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Woods hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2012%2F07%2F17%2Fnews%2Feconomy%2Ftiger-woods-pay%2Findex.htm">He lost his title the previous year as the world's top-paid athlete</a>, dropping to third place on <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fspecials%2Ffortunate50-2012%2Findex.html">Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list</a>.
Woods hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013. He lost his title the previous year as the world's top-paid athlete, dropping to third place on Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Woods holds the trophy for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013, where he clinched his 75th PGA Tour title.
Woods holds the trophy for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013, where he clinched his 75th PGA Tour title.
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In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarquee.blogs.cnn.com%2F2013%2F03%2F18%2Ftiger-woods-confirms-hes-dating-lindsey-vonn%2F">they were dating on Facebook</a>. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. Woods split up with his wife, Elin Nordegren, in 2010 after admitting a series of infidelities. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following.
In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced they were dating on Facebook. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. Woods split up with his wife, Elin Nordegren, in 2010 after admitting a series of infidelities. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following.
Courtesy Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods
In 2013, Woods regained the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F03%2F25%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Fgolf-woods-world-number-one-again%2Findex.html">No. 1 spot in world golf rankings</a> with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
In 2013, Woods regained the No. 1 spot in world golf rankings with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
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Woods winces in pain after striking a tree root with his club after a shot from the rough in the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament in April. He tied for 17th place.
Woods winces in pain after striking a tree root with his club after a shot from the rough in the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament in April. He tied for 17th place.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Woods' best result of an injury-hit 2015 was a tie for 10th at August's Wyndham Championship -- his last appearance this season before having back surgery.
Woods' best result of an injury-hit 2015 was a tie for 10th at August's Wyndham Championship -- his last appearance this season before having back surgery.
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In July 2015, Woods missed the cut at the British Open for just the second time in his illustrious career.
In July 2015, Woods missed the cut at the British Open for just the second time in his illustrious career.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Woods throws his club in disgust following a shot from the rough during the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June, when he missed the halfway cut after rounds of 80 and 76.
Woods throws his club in disgust following a shot from the rough during the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June, when he missed the halfway cut after rounds of 80 and 76.
Harry How/Getty Images
Tiger Woods: From highs to lows

Story highlights

Tiger Woods practises in public at junior event

Hits full range of shots with every club in the bag, including the driver

Demonstration fuels speculation he could return in a few weeks

Has not played since August after back surgery

CNN  — 

Is he, or isn’t he?

Speculation is mounting Tiger Woods is preparing for a return after he demonstrated the full range of shots during a junior clinic he was giving in South Carolina.

The former world No. 1 is recovering from multiple back surgeries and has not played since August, fuelling rumours his remarkable career was at an end.

But the public practice session has prompted suggestions the 14-time major champion could be targeting a return in two or three weeks, possibly at the prestigious Players Championship from May 12-15.

READ: 20 years of Tiger Woods – where it all went right, and wrong

Golf Channel pundit Tim Rosaforte wrote on Twitter: “Based on his progress it makes sense @TigerWoods comes back sooner than later. Indications point to @WellsFargoGolf-@THEPLAYERSChamp return.”

Woods’s agent Mark Steinberg was unavailable for comment when contacted by CNN.

The 40-year-old Woods missed the Masters at Augusta earlier this month, admitting he was still “not physically ready.”

“I’ve said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what’s best for my long-term health and career,” Woods wrote on his official website.

He underwent his third back operation in 18 months in October, and admitted the following month there was no timeframe for his return to the sport, saying “Where is the light at the end of the tunnel.”

In February, Woods posted a video on social media of himself hitting a nine iron on an indoor golf simulator to scotch reports he was struggling to move and was in pain sitting down. “Progressing nicely,” he wrote.

Woods won his last major title in 2008 and remains five adrift of his long-stated goal of beating Jack Nicklaus’ major record.

But in an interview with ESPN published this week, basketball great Michael Jordan said his close friend Woods “wishes he could retire” and claimed the golfer would quit if he won one more major.

“The thing is, I love him so much that I can’t tell him, ‘You’re not gonna be great again,’” Jordan was quoted as saying.

Will Tiger Woods win another major? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page.

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