As unfortunate as it is, Tiger Woods is no stranger to returning to competition after a long time away due to injuries.
Woods will tee it up next week at the 2023 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, playing for the first time since the Masters in April, where he withdrew after the third round. Shortly after the WD, Woods underwent ankle surgery to address post-traumatic arthritis.
Since then and especially in recent weeks, Woods has been making more public appearances, whether at his course in Mexico for the PGA Tour event or caddying for son Charlie at different events. And next week, he’s back at his tournament.
What should you expect from Big Cat? Here’s how he has done in his return to competition after six or more months away.
2009 WGC-Accenture Match Play — T-17
Woods’ return from an eight-month layoff ended abruptly as South African Tim Clark bested the top golfer in the world 4 and 2 in the second round of the event. It was Woods’ first tournament since his gritty U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines, which was followed with knee surgery.
2010 Masters — T-4
OK, Tiger missed only five months before teeing it up at the 2010 Masters, but it didn’t hinder his performance whatsoever.
2016 Hero World Challenge — 15th
In late 2015, Woods has three surgeries on his back that kept him out of competition for more than a year. He finished 15th at his event in the Bahamas, one of only two events he played in the 2016-17 season.
2017 Hero World Challenge — T-9
Another year, another return in the Bahamas after a long layoff. This one coming after a fourth back surgery, a spinal fusion. It starts the trek to him winning the 2019 Masters.
2022 Masters — 47th
A severe car wreck in early 2021 results in Woods missing more than a year of competition and having his right leg severely injured. The surgery essentially rebuilt his leg. However, he makes the cut in his return, but there’s some signs of discomfort walking the severe slopes of Augusta National.
2023 Genesis — T-45
In his first start since missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship, Woods makes the cut at Riviera and proceeds to finish T-45.
2023 Hero World Challenge — TBD
Next week, Tiger is in the 20-man field making his first start since ankle surgery.
