Caddie Says Tiger to Return 'Shortly'

Posted Feb 18, 2009 9:54AM By Shane Bacon (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf, PGA

It's like a game of Clue, only the players are a bunch of "friends" of a golf star that may or may not be returning to the course over the next few weeks. Like, "I'll take Tiger Woods, with a 4-iron, at Doral."

Now Tiger's caddie Steve Williams is the latest to chime in on when Mr. Woods will be gracing us with his golfing presence, telling a New Zealand television station that Woods is "a few weeks" from returning to the PGA Tour.

"It's going to be anytime, shortly,'' Williams said.

"He's probably 95 percent of the way there. He was waiting for the birth of his second child which just came last week so he's ready to go. He just needs a little bit more walking. He hasn't been able to walk too well,'' he added. "Anytime in the next few weeks he's going to tee it up. He definitely wants to play a couple of tournaments before Augusta so any day now he's going to make a decision when he's going to play.''

Only Tiger would leave this sort of thing so open-ended. Most athletes would pick a time of return so that everyone would be ready for it and the buzz would grow around the tournament. Nope, not Camp Tiger. He has always been one to keep info inside until the last possible second and this "When Will Tiger Play Next?" game has become nearly as debated about as "Will Favre Really Retire?"

Williams did say that Tiger has been doing six hours of rehab a day on his knee and believes that Woods won't play unless he is 100 percent certain he can win that week. Also, Williams mentioned something Butch Harmon had talked about a few weeks ago -- Tiger would probably have to alter his swing a touch because of the "fresh" knee.

"He's had to modify his swing a little bit to accommodate his knee, but the guy always finds a way,'' Williams said. "I'm a little nervous myself to see how he's going to come back.

"Nine months out of the game after a major operation is a long time but he's a hell of a competitor and one of the best we've ever seen in this game so I would suspect he'll carry right on.''

So, it is basically down to the Accenture Match Play, which is next week, or the CA Championship at Doral, from March 12-15. I'm sure there will be 11 more stories about his return before we find out the actual date.

Latest Tiger Woods Photos

Handler Clifford W. Steele and his Scottish deerhound,Ch Gayleward's Tiger Woods, run in the ring during the Hound Group, which he won, during the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

PGA star Tiger Woods, center, congratulates challenger Steven Ward of Australia, right, on a tie as NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin watches at the EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 championships in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

PGA star Tiger Woods, center, cheers after sinking a putt while challenger Steven Ward of Australia, right, and NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin look on as they compete in the EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 championships in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

In this photo provided by Gillette, Tiger Woods, center, celebrates while playing Xbox 360 against Steven Ward, right, of Australia, during the Gillette-EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming Finals in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009. Watching the action is Orlando Magic All-Star guard Jameer Nelson, left, and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. Over 350,000 gamers competed for the chance to play against the Gillette Champions and sports stars. (AP Photo/Gillette, Phelan M. Ebenhack) ** NO SALES **

Golfer Tiger Woods (L) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) talk after the Orlando Magic NBA basketball game in Orlando, Florida January 29, 2009. The Magic beat the Cavaliers 99 - 88. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

PGA golfer Tiger Woods watches an NBA basketball game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Lee Trevino expresses his frustration after missing a long putt on the second hole during the third round of play in the 14th annual Las Vegas Senior Classic in this May 15, 1999 file photo. Hall of Famer golfer Lee Trevino said he was "afraid" for Tiger Woods and that the world number one would have to modify his swing following knee surgery or risk the end of his brilliant career. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/Files (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Golfers Scott Hoch and Tiger Woods talk before the Orlando Magic plays the Boston Celtics in their NBA basketball game in Orlando, Florida January 22, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett greets Tiger Woods after their NBA basketball game against the Magic in Orlando, Florida January 22, 2009. Woods was in the arena watching the game. REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-18-2009 @ 10:48AM

BettorFan.com said...

Finally some good news in the Sports world. Can't wait to see Tiger in Action.

2-18-2009 @ 12:25PM

jummel1732 said...

Class Act!

2-18-2009 @ 1:32PM

merryglazner said...

I'm ready to see Tiger return. I still watch golf but I don't set glued to the television. I can miss it and won't go into orbit like I do when Tiger is gplaying.. I just want him to return when he feels his knee is ready so he won't mess it up again. Golf is more fun to watch when Tiger is playing, including hearing and watching the excitement of the crowd, announcers, etc. Congratulations on your little Charlie. Go Tiger

2-18-2009 @ 1:42PM

chicardsncomics said...

I agree with merry, the game just ain't the same without Mr. Greeeaaattt. I have a fresh pack of Tiger upper deck cards to open for his return triumph. Can't wait go Tiger.