Tiger Woods ‘getting after it’ – agent

• Tiger Woods upping the ante as return to action draws closer
• The 40-year-old is ‘getting after it a bit more’, says his agent
• Woods is returning at the Hero World Challenge in two weeks

Tiger Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg has said the 14-time major champion is upping the ante in preparation for his return, which is now a little over two weeks away.

The 40-year-old, who pulled out of his expected comeback event at the Safeway Open last month, is not expected to do so again at the Hero World Challenge – an unofficial PGA Tour money event hosted by Woods with benefits going to his Foundation.

” excited to get back out there and compete” – Mark Steinberg

Speaking to ESPN yesterday, Steinberg said: “ getting after it a bit more, continuing to work towards that goal and excited to get back out there and compete, see the guys and be in the locker room instead of being an assistant captain.”

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Concerns were raised about Woods’ long-term future in the sport after he withdrew three days before the start of the Safeway Open after committing the previous Friday.

A day after withdrawing, video footage emerged of Woods delivering a coaching clinic at Monterey Beach, where he didn’t give any indication as to the reasons behind his withdrawal.

Steinberg, however, said that it wasn’t down to any physical or mental issues.

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“The determination is still there,” he added. “We’ve still got two weeks to go, but he is doing the things necessary to get himself as ready as he can be, but it’s going to be 15 months since the last time he played competitively.”

Despite not counting towards the FedEx Cup, the Hero World Challenge does carry world ranking points which will be of some importance to Woods given he is currently world No.861.

Joining him in the 18-man field in Albany are six of the world’s top ten: Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Reed and defending champion Bubba Watson (above).

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