Woods stirs hopes for 2024 as unlikely comeback shows signs of substance

a the recent victory at a high school golf event for Charlie Woods felt like it would precipitate a changing of the guard. The 14-year-old has made quiet but steady progress in the sport, where his father, Tiger, has iconic status. It will be easier for the golf world to accept Woods Sr's departure from the regular season if the prospect of his son taking over the mantle is realistic.

Characteristically, Tiger has other ideas. His return at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas was his most encouraging since the early 2021 car crash that threatened much more than just his career. By the time Woods cut short his visit to Augusta National in April, it felt like professional closure had finally arrived. It seemed to make little sense for Woods to subject his body to the most severe strain without being able to complete 72 holes. He was not seen between April and November.

What Woods said at the Albany resort is as telling as the way he hit the ball. He has a goal of playing once a month at best through 2024. This plan is driven not only by the realization that Woods cannot expect to be competitive when he spends so little time on the ropes, but that his body kind of schedules could withstand. It would be pointless to put forward this vision for next year without genuinely believing that it could happen. This comeback feels like it has substance.

“You can simulate anything you want at home and I did it the best I could,” Woods said. “We played a lot of money games at home and tried to simulate it, but it's just different. The mind races more, the fear and emotions are just different here than at home. You can always drop a ball at home, no problem. This is where it will cost you. Putting pen and paper together, it's just something different.”

Woods will look to play a role in the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles in February. His close relationship with Hero, now also the sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic, means he will certainly have the option to start the year in the Middle East in January if he wishes. Whether the 47-year-old is excited about the trip from Florida is another matter.

The Players Championship and Masters take place in March and April respectively. Three more majors will follow in May, June and July. Competing in the Olympics is one of the few things missing from Woods' resume; those organizing the Games would be giddy at the idea of ​​the 15-time champion donning American colors in early August. Should Woods qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs, he could theoretically continue playing until the end of that month, but that would be a difficult feat on a limited schedule. A round of play between February and July would be a success.

An ankle fusion, Woods' latest surgery, resolved his bone-on-bone ankle pain. His walk is still pronounced, but the movements look good overall. Woods' swing is perfectly balanced and controlled. Putting problems are evident in the Bahamas – and few improve on the greens as they approach their fifth decade – but such problems can impact those who play all the time.

“My ankle really can't move anymore,” he said. “I can't move my knee like I used to and I can't turn like I used to because my back is fused. There are just a lot of things I can't do. But it's not like I've made any major swing changes or tried to make any changes. I just let my body tell me what to do.”

PGA Tour players have praised the intensity with which Woods has waded into discussions about the organization's future. A deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, another entity or both will be necessary in the coming months.

“He could easily sail off into the sunset, never touch a club again, never do anything again, just live his life and enjoy it, hang out with his kids,” said world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. “But he keeps coming back and wants to participate. He continues to do what is best for the players and the PGA Tour. So it's pretty inspiring for the rest of us involved in the game with what he's doing now.”

If 2024 plays out as Woods has envisioned, heads will continue to turn. Charlie's time in the spotlight can wait.