December 03, (THEWILL) – Tiger Woods has affirmed his determination to return to competitive golf in 2025, despite a challenging year marked by physical setbacks.
Speaking at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, the 48-year-old athlete discussed his recent nerve impingement surgery and ongoing recovery process.
Woods candidly acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining his performance level, emphasising that his body no longer recovers with the same efficiency as in previous years.
The golf legend has been absent from competitive play since July, missing significant tournaments including the PGA Championship and US Open, where he failed to make the cut.
His appearance at the Masters in April resulted in a 60th-place finish, a stark contrast to his historic 15th major title victory five years earlier.
Woods underwent surgical intervention in September to address a nerve impingement in his lower back, an unexpected injury that caused considerable pain and disrupted his competitive schedule.
Despite the physical challenges, Woods remains motivated to compete at the highest level.
“The fire still burns to compete,” he told reporters.
His limited competitive schedule bears witness to ongoing physical limitations, yet he remains optimistic about potential improvements in the coming year.
Woods believes the recent medical procedure will contribute to his physical rehabilitation and enable him to build strength for future tournaments.
The golfer also provided insights into the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV tour.
Woods described the discussions as an active and evolving process, suggesting that while challenges are inevitable, the ultimate goal is to create a better product for fans and players.
He anticipates that the current negotiations will bring much-needed stability to professional golf.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
