‘If anybody can do it, it’s him:’ PGA Tour players react to Tiger Woods playing in 2021 PNC Championship with son, Charlie
NORTH NAPLES, Fla. – Last month, Tiger Woods put out a three-second video of himself hitting a wedge that blew up social media feeds around the world.
Last week, the PGA Tour released a 23-second video of Woods hitting 3-wood, this being at the Hero World Challenge on Tuesday on the back of the range at Albany Golf Club.
Starting Friday of last week, he hit balls on three consecutive days, including Sunday when he was wearing his traditional red shirt and black slacks.
Now word has come that Woods, just nine months removed from a horrific single-car rollover accident last February that nearly cost him his right leg to amputation, let alone his life, is playing again.
Woods announced Wednesday he will team with son, Charlie, once again in next week’s PNC Championship in Orlando.
Woods’ peers are thrilled.
“It’s great seeing him out,” said Will Zalatoris, who is at Tiberon Golf Club for this week’s QBE Shootout. “It’s amazing how the guy goes and hits balls on the range and you kind of want to sit there and watch it instead of the golf. That just shows you how important he is to the game.
“It was cool seeing him at the dinner that Wednesday at the Hero World Challenge. My goal is to hopefully get paired with him before he’s done if he’s able to come back and play a limited schedule. My hopes are high that we’ll see him more than he’s letting on.”
Other players at the QBE Shootout were just as encouraged.
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Tiger Woods: Timeline of events a year after we last saw him (officially) at the November Masters
Jason Day
“I think it’s very positive. I’m just as excited as everyone else when it comes to watching him swing a golf club. I think it’s just a little farther away from him tournament ready and playing on the PGA Tour again if he can than most people think. Playing in the PNC is another encouraging sign. When that first video came out, it was still that Tiger swing everyone knows. It’s great to see.”
Tiger Woods of the United States and Jason Day of Australia share a laugh on the first tee during The Challenge: Japan Skins at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 21, 2019 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Kevin Kisner
“At least he’s back swinging, and that’s a positive. And I hope he’s back here sooner than later. If he can get back here. I’ve never had a sustained injury like he has, and he’s had a lot, so I don’t know how long it takes to getting back healthy enough and feeling comfortable enough to try and get back out on the PGA Tour.
“But if anybody can do it, it’s him.”
Kevin Kisner fist pumps after making birdie to win the second playoff hole during the final round of the 2021 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Brandt Snedeker
“It’s very encouraging to see him hitting balls. I’m very excited for him. I know he’s not going to be able to be kind of the same as he was before but I’m glad to see him swinging. Swing looks pretty good. Hopefully he can get his strength back and he can play four or five events a year.”
Brandt Snedeker of the United States shakes hands with Tiger Woods of the United States on the 17th green after defeating him 2&1 during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 28, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
Billy Horschel
“To me, it looks like he’s moving pretty well. Obviously, the only difference I’ve seen is he doesn’t have the same push off from his right side. His hips don’t move as quick through the swing and is that because of the back or the leg? But hopefully he will continue to get stronger. He looks a lot better than I think anyone could have imagined from what we saw 10 months ago. We’re all happy to see him swing, and overall it looks pretty good, and I’m interested in seeing what he wants to do. Playing in the PNC, he’s going to have a great time with Charlie and that is great.”
Billy Horschel and Tiger Woods walk on the 11th hole during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National GC. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
Sean O’Hair
“I think his swing looks amazing. I had some friends of mine ask me what my opinion was of him coming back, and one thing I’ve learned with Tiger is you never bet against him. I’ve never seen anybody as determined as that man. It’s just amazing what he’s done, and I think that he looks amazing, and it hasn’t even been a year yet. I just think I’m kind of on the same page as everybody. I think everybody kind of just wants him to have a good quality of life and I think as long as he’s happy and he wants to come out and do it, he’ll find a way to do it.”
Tiger Woods talking with Sean O’Hair walking down the hill on the par-3 6th hole during a practice round on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Augusta National. (Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
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