Tiger Woods Injury Update: Golf Star Reveals Plan to Return to Competitive Play

The long wait for Tiger Woods' return to competitive golf will come to an end on Oct. 10 at the Tiger Woods Invitational.  

Per Woods' official website, he intends to participate in his invitational event. He also plans to compete in the Safeway Open (Oct. 13-16), the Turkish Airlines Open (Nov. 3-6) and the Hero World Challenge (Dec. 1-4). 

Woods discussed the status of his rehab from last year's back surgery:

"

I'm looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I'm also excited to return to Turkey and Albany. It could be a fun fall.

It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn't rush it. It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters. But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I've been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never waned.

"

Woods last appeared in a tournament at the Wyndham Championship in August 2015. He finished 10th at 13 under par. 

After that tournament, he underwent microdiscectomy surgery in September. It was announced in October that he needed a follow-up procedure to correct a pinched nerve in his back. 

Woods originally planned to return in early 2016 after his first operation, but golf journalist and author Robert Lusetich reported in February that Woods' condition was getting worse—that it was painful for him to sit and he had to sit in cars with the seat fully reclined. 

In July, Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, said in an email to the Golf Channel that the 14-time major winner would not play during the 2015-16 season. 

This marked the first year since 1994 that Woods did not play in at least one major championship tournament. 

The PGA Tour celebrated Woods' announcement in appropriate fashion:

"

Hello (again) world ...
https://t.co/zmSAAeK3o4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 7, 2016"

Trey Wingo of ESPN, however, wondered what we'll see from Woods when he finally steps back on a course:

Woods will turn 41 on Dec. 30. His yearlong absence should temper expectations when he does tee it up next month, but the PGA Tour is more interesting when he's a part of it. 

Being able to get his feet wet in some smaller tournaments will serve Woods well as he seeks a return to form leading into the 2017 schedule.