Tiger Woods' Return to the PGA Tour Is Close

As much as we try to convince ourselves that the PGA Tour is and has been just as exciting without the presence of Tiger Woods, even the most die-hard golf fans would be having a hard time watching the Buick Invitational from Torrey Pines this week without immediately thinking of Tiger Woods.

Tiger’s improbable win at the 2008 US Open was one of the greatest performances in the history of sports and the probably the greatest performance in PGA Tour history since Ben Hogan returned from his death bed to win the 1950 US Open.

It is difficult to watch Phil Mickelson hit an approach shot on the South Course at Torrey Pines without looking over to where Woods hit his sand wedge out of the right rough on the 72nd hole of the Open.

It is difficult to watch Camilo Villegas’s attempt an eagle put on the 18th hole without getting distracted by looking towards the front right of the green and re-living in your mind Tiger Woods’ put to tie Rocco Mediate and force a Monday playoff. 

Luckily, golf fans can take some solace in knowing that Tiger Woods now appear to be just weeks away from his much anticipated return to the PGA Tour.

Woods has made it known that he is practicing at what he calls “full bore.”

Speaking as a guest on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning show, Woods said “My knee feels great...It feels kind of nice to swing and not have your bones move. It's a nice feeling, a feeling I haven't had in a long time, so I'm looking forward to getting back to competing.

“It's just a matter of getting my ball count up and my endurance back up, golf-wise, where I can practice all day like I used to," Woods said. That's been the biggest hurdle.” Woods went on to say.

As he has been reluctant to do over the past few months, Woods still did not give any indication as to exactly when he may return to the tour, however, his return appears to be close, which is good news for fans, sponsors, the PGA Tour and just about everyone other than the members of the tour.

We can speculate all we want, but no one knows for sure how Woods will perform upon his return.

However, throughout his career, Tiger Woods has always displayed a flare for silencing his critics and subtly intimidating the rest of the tour.

With all the talk circulating about how Woods might need a year to get back to his top form, or even how he may never be quite the same player again, you can be assured that Woods is looking forward to silencing his critics yet again.

Woods is a man obsessed with winning and intimidating his competition, which is why you can be assured that Woods will not step foot back on the golf course until he is physically and mentally ready to send a clear message to everyone—that he is back and better than before.

What better way to silence his critics and take the wind out of the sails of every other player on tour than to have a very strong finish, or possibly even win his first event back.

No one, not even Tiger Woods, can now for sure whether or not he will win his first tournament back.

However, based on what we have seen from Woods over the past 12 years of his career and his general nature, you can be assured that Tiger Woods will not step foot back onto the PGA Tour before he knows for sure that he at the very least has a good opportunity to win.