Tiger Woods fighting fit for Open Championship
Tiger Woods will compete in the Open Championship at St Andrews in July if, as expected, he covers from the neck injury which forced him to retire from the recent Players Championship
Tiger Woods will compete in the Open Championship at St Andrews in July if, as expected, he covers from the neck injury which forced him to retire from the recent Players Championship.
The 14-time Major winner has not officially confirmed his return to the competition, but hopes to become the first man to win three Opens at St Andrews after victories there in 2000 and 2005.
"I'm trying everything I can to get back as soon as I can," the 34-year-old said.
Woods is expected to make a full recovery in time to play in the US Open at Pebble Beach in June, as well as to defend his AT&T National title in July.
Complaining of a neck injury during the third event since the revelations about his private life, Woods left the Players Championship at Sawgrass on the seventh hole.
The world number one is said to have incurred an inflamed facet joint injury, which has stopped him from playing in recent weeks.
He commented: "I need to take care of this condition and will return to playing golf when I'm physically able."
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The last time the US Open was played at Pebble Beach in California, 2000, Woods won by a staggering 15 shots. He followed that by leading from start to finish in the 2005 Open at St Andrews to win the Claret Jug by five shots from Scotland's Colin Montgomerie.
Woods is reigning in on Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major victories, so the stimulant of the next two Majors of the season are sure to aid his recovery.
Where next?
Tour news: BMW PGA Championship Preview Competitions: Win K Club experience Golf opinion: Latest blogs and debates