Golf: Woods on verge of making return

Page last updated at 09:32 GMT, Friday, 20 February 2009

Woods on verge of making return

Woods's wife recently gave birth to their second child Tiger Woods will make his comeback from injury at next week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. The 33-year-old has not played since undergoing knee surgery after winning his 14th major title last June at the US Open at Torrey Pines. "We received confirmation that Tiger Woods has committed to play in next week's event," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem. "We are delighted that Tiger is returning to competition." Woods is the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship defending champion and won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. He will begin his defence against world number 64, Australian Brendan Jones. Woods only ever enters events he thinks he can win so from that we can deduce he truly believes he is fully fit BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter The world number one, who celebrated the birth of his second child last week, revealed on his website: "I'm now ready to play again. "Elin (his wife) and our new son Charlie are doing great. I've enjoyed my time at home with the family and appreciate everyone's support and kind wishes." Woods beat Rocco Mediate on the 19th hole of their play-off to land the 2008 US Open despite having a knee injury and a double stress fracture of his left lower leg. He announced soon after that he would need reconstructive knee surgery. His swing coach, Hank Haney, helped him during his rehabilitation and Woods began hitting full shots again in the middle of December. Earlier in February Woods revealed that his swing had not changed following the operation. "Many people have asked me if my swing has changed since the surgery and the answer is no," he said. "I'm doing all the things I've been trying to do for a long time but I can actually hit into my left leg without my bones moving. It's a nice feeling. "It is so much better than it ever has been because my bones aren't grinding against each other." The BBC's golf correspondent, Iain Carter, said that if Woods felt he was ready to return, then it must mean he was back on top of his game. "Woods only ever enters events he thinks he can win, so from that we can deduce he truly believes he is fully fit," he said. "It's certainly an interesting choice of tournament for his return - Match play is a knockout event so his comeback could potentially only last one round. "Equally, if he were to successfully defend the title he won for the third time a year ago, he would have to play five rounds in four days, followed by a 36-hole final on the closing day. "His comeback next week means he'll probably play at least three tournaments before competing in the Masters in April."