Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

TIGER WOODS | PGA TOUR

It’s only four days until Tiger Woods returns from almost 16 months in the golfing wilderness to play in the Hero World Challenge – an event hosted by his Foundation.

Despite this not being an official PGA Tour money event, anticipation is, understandably, very high, and here are the five questions everybody wants to know the answers to as Tiger Woods prepares to tee it up on Thursday.

CONTINUES BELOW…

Tiger Woods

1. What would make a good week?

This one’s tough. After aborting his comeback at the Safeway Open in October, it’s safe to say there is far less pressure on Woods in the Bahamas with only 18 players teeing it up as opposed to a full PGA Tour field.

However, of those 18, 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson is the lowest-ranked at No.37. Tiger Woods is currently No.861.

In his last Hero World Challenge appearance in 2014, Woods finished joint last alongside Hunter Mahan on level par, some 26 shots behind winner Jordan Spieth.

So, position wise, it can’t really get any worse. But, with a high quality field, Woods will be desperate to show he can still compete with the best in the world.

Middle of the pack and no sign of any injury and you’d think Woods would be very happy with his week’s work.

Quicken Loans National- Preview Day 3

2. What will be in his bag?

Following on from a tweet by @NoLayingUp shortly after the Ryder Cup which said Tiger Woods would be playing a Bridgestone ball, TaylorMade driver and Mizuno irons, a source confirmed to bunkered.co.uk that the 14-time major champion will have a ‘mixed bag’.

At a coaching clinic a day after withdrawing from the Safeway Open, Woods dropped a huge hint to onlookers that he’d be going back to using a Scotty Cameron putter.

And, two weeks ago, a video emerged of Tiger Woods practising with a TaylorMade 3-wood. As for the rest, we’ll find that out for definite pretty soon.

3. Why did he really not play Safeway?

As soon as Tiger Woods withdrew from the Safeway Open, all sorts of rumours started doing the rounds on social media as to why.

On the statement he released on his website, he worryingly described his game as ‘vulnerable and not where it needs to be’.

But what particular aspect of his game was it that was holding him back? And could it have partly been a mental issue as well, as former world No.1 Luke Donald alluded to before the British Masters? We’ll find that out this week.

Wyndham Championship - Final Round

4. What will his strategy be?

In his pomp, Tiger Woods was renowned for being one of, if not the most, aggressive players on the planet.

He attacked pins like it was nobody’s business. However, over the past couple of years, he has seemed to have adopted a more conservative strategy. It has been as if his focus has been not so much to make birdies but to avoid make bogeys.

Perhaps that has been as a consequence of the various injuries he has had to contend with, which have restricted his aggression. Perhaps it has been as a result of a more conservative approach generally. Either way, it will be interesting to see how he plays on this latest comeback.

Wyndham Championship - Final Round

5. What will his demeanour be?

Again, back at the peak of his career, Tiger Woods was often criticised for his very serious, focused approach which didn’t make him out to be very personable or likeable – despite his incredible ability.

So, will we see the 40-year-old smile a bit more? Will he interact with fans? He may be changed by his experience as a Ryder Cup vice-captain, while he could be looking at the Hero World Challenge from the viewpoint of appreciation that he is still able to play the game after such a prolonged period on the sidelines.

How do you think Tiger Woods will perform?

What are you expecting from Tiger Woods on his return to golf after 14 months out? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

topics

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship