Tiger Woods Expresses Determination to Return Despite Injury Struggles

Tiger Woods remains resolute in his desire to compete, despite ongoing injury challenges that have kept him out of action since July 2024. The 15-time major champion, now 48, is focused on recovery and a potential comeback as he eyes 2025 with cautious optimism.

Woods revealed that his latest setback, a series of back issues radiating pain into his legs, required a sixth back surgery in September. Reflecting on his struggles, he said:

“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year. It was quite painful… hence I had another procedure done to alleviate the pain.”

Despite the challenges, Woods remains committed:

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

While he feels improvement, Woods admits he’s not yet at the level required to return to competitive golf.

Acknowledging the physical toll his career and injuries have taken, Woods remains motivated:

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

His last appearance at The Open ended in disappointment, marking his third consecutive missed cut in a major.

Woods also weighed in on the ongoing discussion about compensating Ryder Cup players. Historically, players have not been paid for their participation in the prestigious event. However, recent suggestions propose a fee for team members, with Woods advocating for a significant $5 million allocation per player.

Noting his views from past discussions, Woods said:

“We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity, but the media turned it around… The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?”

He emphasized his support for players donating potential earnings to charitable causes, calling it a “great” initiative.