Good Friend Mark O'Meara Says Tiger Could Be Back as Soon as February

Posted Nov 17, 2008 12:53PM By Shane Bacon (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf, PGA

In golf news these days, there are basically two things to talk about -- Tiger Woods and Tiger Woods' bum knee.

The top golfer in the land (as of now) has been quoted as saying he has absolutely no clue when he will be back on the links in top tournament form, but Mark O'Meara said he could see Tiger being back as early as February.

"Tiger is doing really well and he is pleased with the way the operation went," said O'Meara.

"I'm afraid the (Dubai Desert) Classic (on Jan 29) is coming round a little early for him to be able to defend his title. That's a real pity. He is going to aim for a return in late February or early March.

He is not going to start hitting balls until the end of December so it would be pushing it for him to come here in January. I imagine he will make his comeback in one of the Florida tournaments. His plan is to play a couple of events before the Masters [in April]."

The Tiger Camp is pretty solid about keeping all the little secrets to themselves but this is fairly good news for the March tournaments. It is also interesting that the time of his comeback could be right around the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, a tournament Tiger won last year because, as you know, he is pretty unstoppable at match play.

If it isn't the Accenture in Tucson, I could see Tiger showing his face at Bay Hill for Arnold Palmer's tournament. That begins March 13, which Tiger also won last year. If that was the return, he could play Bay Hill, which he has won five times, and get to tee it up at the WGC-CA Championship, which he won in 2007. That would be two elite tournaments before the Masters, which might just be enough for Woods at Augusta.

Latest Tiger Woods Photos

Tiger Woods (L) watches the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, November 16, 2008. REUTERS/Pierre DuCharme(UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Golfer Tiger Woods watches the NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings from the sidelines during the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Sergio Garcia of Spain holds the champion trophy during the award ceremony of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Oliver Wilson of England reacts after missing a putt during a playoff of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Sergio Garcia of Spain won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Sergio Garcia of Spain reacts at the 18th hole during a playoff of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Sergio Garcia of Spain, center, is escorted by officials and security guards to head to the 18th hole during a playoff of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Oliver Wilson of England, right, walks with his caddie during a playoff of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Sergio Garcia of Spain won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Sergio Garcia of Spain, left, reacts as he became one of two leaders as Henrik Stenson of Sweden, right, looks on at the 18th hole during the final round of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Garcia won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Oliver Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Oliver Wilson of England lines up a putt during a playoff of the 2008 HSBC Champions golf tournament Monday Nov. 10, 2008 in Shanghai, China. Sergio Garcia of Spain won the rain-delayed HSBC Champions to take the No. 2 spot in the world ranking behind Tiger Woods, beating Wilson with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Monday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Davis Love III holds the first place trophy with Mickey Mouse after winning the Children's Miracle Network Classic PGA golf tournament at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008. It was the 20th career victory for Love, giving him a lifetime exemption on the PGA Tour. Among active players, only Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson have won more than 20 tour events. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Oh, and back to that knee injury for a minute. O'Meara said he knew of the pain for two years, but couldn't say anything.

"I've known for more than two years how serious his knee injury was," said O'Meara, 51."It was really bad but it was not for me to tell anybody. I had to keep it hush, hush. But the doctors who did the surgery are friends of mine and they let me know the extent of the problem. But it's too late now. We can only look forward."

I wonder if to join Tiger Camp, you have to hold your heart and swear to secrecy? That would be an interesting question to ask Mr. Woods next time he's around.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

11-17-2008 @ 5:37PM

bigflyer said...

I am surprised Mark O'Meara said anything regardimg Tiger's comeback. Tiger is very secretive about his life and I would think even more so about his health and rehab.
Mike "Fluff" Cowan, now Jim Furyk's caddy, experienced firing by the greatest golfer in the world for revealing comments made to the press when Woods was a new pro om 1997.
O'Meara may have had TW's permission to discuss the rehab news and playing schedule, but I doubt it. Perhaps it was the reporters wish to get a scoop, because other than the US Open, the Ryder Cup and Paddy Harrington PGA golf in 08 sure was dull without the Man.

11-18-2008 @ 10:48AM

GIVE_TIGER_A_MIC said...

WOULD IT NOT BE A VERY GOOD MOVE FOR TIGER TO BE A GOLF COMMENTATOR RIGHT NOW? HE COULD GET PAID AND FANS AND VIEWERS WOULD APPRECIATE HIS KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT AS OTHERS COMPETE. TIGER IS SMART, HE KNOWS HOW MUCH TO SHARE AND WHAT TO KEEP SECRET... PERSONALLY I BELIEVE IT WOULD A WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN FOR EVERYONE, AUDIENCES, MEDIA, TIGER, HIS YOUNG FOLLOWERS AND THE GAME OF GOLD, OPPS I MEAN GOLF.

11-18-2008 @ 10:20AM

Dave said...

I love Tiger. Tiger doesn't tell Mark O'Meara what he can and can't say. O'Meara has enough class, as a friend and a mentor to Tiger, to not say anything that would hurt him. O'Meara has been making millions on the tour before and after Tiger. For all the fools that say Tiger is golf... you are only partially right. Golf has been alive and well before Tiger was born. Tiger pushed it to reach all of you monkeys that didn't watch before. He has been great for the game... but it would still be here if he wasn't. Same people think Michael Vick invented football in Atlanta and Michael Jordan saved bball. WRONG.

11-17-2008 @ 10:58PM

Anne said...

Tiger's fan email letter said he's been putting and chipping but no full swings until January.

11-18-2008 @ 8:22AM

joseph burbol said...

why dont tiger use a driver on a par four hole

11-17-2008 @ 11:01PM

claude said...

Without Tiger Woods playing, golf is boring to watch...I am looking forward to his return, so golf can be fun to watch again.

11-17-2008 @ 11:11PM

Black Fox said...

Let's hope that he coming back soon, Wall Street needs Tiger Woods, after all his next step is the White House. I would vote for him to be the next President. In eight years he
will have all the golf records in place. It will be time for President Tiger Woods to step up.

11-18-2008 @ 1:34PM

gman said...

Hey Gonzo, why are you reading the article if you don't like Tiger? I think we all agree that the man is the greatest golfer. There may be a time when two or three people collectively can beat the man, but no one man will be able to do what he has been able to accomplish. The one amazing stat that i never hear anyone talk about, WIN percentage. Take a look at that and compare the rest of the world.

11-17-2008 @ 11:23PM

don gray said...

I love tiger and his game, good or bad, fun to watch. Just like Jack, Trevino, Palmer, etc.. Nobody has stepped up to his qualifications and it is very sad. Maybe we have a few more years but its time now for someone to step up to the plate, just like the old days! Don

11-17-2008 @ 11:24PM

thriller said...

Gonzo you are stupid. He is golf whether you like it or not

Don said...

It will be great to have Tiger back, because that will be a good shot in the arm for everyone.To talk about something that is good, unstead of hearing about bad news. Welcome back to him!!!

11-17-2008 @ 11:26PM

I wanted to tell you about Mark Omara's commit I don't beleive it, he's not that stupid.

11-17-2008 @ 11:29PM

Sunshine said...

I'm happy to read of Tiger's improvement. What did he have done anyway? A knee replacement? Seems so secretive, for no reason. i am curious, and would like to know. Thanks.

11-17-2008 @ 11:42PM

Bob said...

Gonzo...............Tiger is not just a man........he's a very, very wealthy man. He may put his pants on one leg at a time, but those pants would probably cost you a $100 a pair and I suspect he gets them as a promotional item. Also, he's a very, very wealthy man because he's a very, very talented man. If you know for a fact about the smell of his "crap" then I'm a little worried about you, man!! No Hero?? I bet you would have a hard time convincing all those kids he helps through his foundation that he's no hero........give that one a try!!!!

11-17-2008 @ 11:39PM

DAVID said...

Tiger can you sponsor me to play on tour,I am a tour caliber player with no money due to a family illness that drained me of my life savings of over 300k so I really could use the help to get back out there and play,thanks again DAVID

11-17-2008 @ 11:52PM

marebradley said...

You should be such a prima donna! This smacks of alot of jealousy. Tiger Woods has done for golf and this Country what most could not. He is a man of integrity, great talent, a credit to his Country and, yes, golf is boring without him.

11-17-2008 @ 11:56PM

Al Acosta said...

My interest in TV golf is not the same without Tiger on Tour. I turn to see Lorena Ochoa instead until Tiger returns. Lets face it, Tiger has been good for golf as well as for other players who want an opportunity to play and beat him. Tiger is one in a lifetime!!!

11-18-2008 @ 12:14AM

GolfUSA said...

Tiger has little class when you compare him to the likes of yesteryears ... Jones, Nelson, Hogan, Venturi, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson, Trevino, Kite, etc. I also feel he was a better 'player' when he first came out on tour even as a youngster - free thinker, striker, and putter. Why he thought he needed to change his swing and physique is the ol' paralysis by analysis, which in turn, has probably caused some of the strain on his body. Still the man to beat tho ................ o ___

11-18-2008 @ 12:19AM