12 September 2023 , 21:03
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Tiger Woods has been spotted making a return to golf five months on from withdrawing from the Masters due to injury.
Woods has played on the PGA Tour just twice in 2023, firstly at the Genesis Invitational in March before teeing it up at the Masters one month later. The 82-time PGA Tour winner had enjoyed many a successful week at Augusta having won three green jackets, but the 2023 edition proved to be a week to forget.
After battling to make the cut in gruelling conditions, a visibly uncomfortable Woods was forced to withdraw from the opening major championship of the year in round three. The 47-year-old's team later revealed he had suffered an injury to his ankle, and undergone surgery on the issue.
Since then Woods has remained out of the public eye as he continues to recover from his latest fitness issue. The American star has been plagued with injuries in recent years, and after doing serious damage to his right leg in a car accident in 2021, Woods was forced to make his golfing career a part-time one.
On the back of his second withdrawal in the space of four events, questions were raised as to what would come next for Woods. Amid his Masters struggles TV presenter Stephen A. Smith called on Woods to finally retire from golf. Discussing Woods' future on First Take, Smith said: "I watched him limping on the course before he bowed out on Sunday, and I was thankful he bowed out...
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"I think it is time for him to call it quits. I know Phil Mickelson is aged 52, but the bottom line is Phil Mickelson's body hasn't been through what Tiger Woods' body has been through." Ever the competitor it appears Woods has no plans on quitting just yet.
Nearly half a year on from his most recent injury issue the 15-time major champion is back playing golf in the public eye for the first time. Woods was captured taking to the range at Liberty National in New Jersey alongside fellow PGA Tour stars Will Zalatoris and Rickie Fowler.
Woods had planned to play in all four major championships in 2023, but his injury at Augusta National put a stop to that. It remains unknown as to what the 46-year-old's plans are competitively going forward, but his driving range return on Tuesday gives Woods' fans some hope of a tournament comeback later down the line.