Tiger Woods Should Be Careful Before Coming Back to the Golf Course

Previously, I said that including the Players Championship, Tiger Woods should play at least three times before the US Open in June.

I make no apologies for saying that. Mostly because I assumed that his knee would be in good enough condition to compete. Obviously, after withdrawing after a front-nine 42, that is not the case.

Right now, Tiger's knee is the most important part of his golf game. I don't know how much his injury had to do with his performance today, but I would assume that it played a pretty big role.

In my life, I have played one round of golf with a broken ankle (I didn't know it was broken at the time). It was certainly not a competitive round of golf, and I was using a cart on a course nowhere near as challenging as any course that they play on tour, let alone Sawgrass.

That was one of the most painful experiences of my life.

I haven't had knee problems in the same way that Tiger has, but I can't imagine it's any easier to play on a bad knee than a bad ankle. Actually, I would imagine it's much harder.

After seeing what happened today, my opinion has shifted 180 degrees. I don't believe Tiger should play before the US Open. Frankly, I don't even know that Tiger should play in the US Open.

With his knee in the state that it appears to be in, his chances at a course like Congressional are slim. And that's putting it mildly.

I'm not a doctor and I don't pretend to be one. I have no idea what's going on with his knee or how serious it is. But right now, I would listen to what the doctors say and add at least two weeks on their advised rehab time.

Maybe that means we won't see him anymore in 2011. That wouldn't be a good thing, as the game of golf is better with its highest profile players in contention.

But if he does play in 2011, he may be risking 2012. He certainly risks 2012 and beyond if he comes back too early in 2011.

Woods does potentially have good years in front of him. I would rather not have him at all in 2011 if it means having him at his best in future years.

Coming back too early means we risk having him playing like this for the remainder of his career. Regardless of what you think about Tiger Woods, that is not a good thing for the game of golf or for sports in general.