Tiger Woods to Return to PGA Tour at Bridgestone Invitational

Tiger Woods has announced that he will make his return to the PGA Tour at next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

Woods made the news public on his official website Thursday, one day before the deadline to announce his participation in the popular tournament, which also serves as a warm-up for the PGA Championship August 11-14.

"I'm excited to get back out there," Woods said.

And on his official Twitter, he added: "Feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week."

Woods hasn't played competitively since he walked away from The Players Championship after just nine holes back in mid-May. He has been hobbled by a medial collateral ligament strain to his left knee and a strained left Achilles tendon.

Less than a week ago, I was questioning whether Woods would—or should—return to competitive golf this year, especially given his injury history and lack of recent success. I felt that perhaps hanging it up for the remainder of the year might be in his best interest, and a way to completely heal mentally and physically and start 2012 with a clean slate.

It seemed to make sense—to me.

All the while, I realized I was talking about one of the most competitive athletes in the world.

As it turns out, for Woods to shelf himself for five more months was an impossibility.

For those who are wondering who will be carrying Woods' bag since the recent firing of long-time caddie Steve Williams, it won't be me. Yes, I will be part of the credentialed media mob at Firestone, but according to Golf Channel anchor/reporter Win McMurry, it will be longtime pal Bryon Bell as Woods' new caddie.