Tiger Woods Injury: Updates on Golfer's Back and Recovery

Tiger Woods' recovery from his latest back-related absence has taken its next step, as the former world No. 1 has resumed hitting full golf swings. 

Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told Steve DiMeglio of USA Today that Woods recently began ramping up activity after previously being limited to chip shots and putts.

"The doctors said he could hit golf balls again, and he's listening to his doctors and to his body," Steinberg said. "He will keep listening to his doctors and body…He's feeling pretty good."

Woods, 38, has not played competitive golf since missing the cut at the 2014 PGA Championship. The 14-time major champion underwent a microdiscectomy on March 31, missing the Masters and U.S. Open as part of an initial three-month absence.

While he returned for the Quicken Loans National in June and claimed to be 100 percent, Woods' condition quickly deteriorated. He missed the cut twice and withdrew once in his four events after returning. In the only event where he played all four rounds, The Open Championship, Woods finished in 69th place—his worst outcome in a major where he was not cut.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Last month Woods indicated that the strength had returned to his back, but he was still working on regaining the explosiveness in his torque.

"I've got my strength back, which is nice," Woods told reporters. "Now the next goal is to get my explosiveness and my fast twitch going, and that's the next phase of my training."   

DiMeglio reported Woods has tentatively set a return for December's Hero World Challenge, which benefits his foundation. The Quicken Loans National, Woods' first tournament after his initial absence, is also tied to the foundation.

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