Tiger Woods feeling fit ahead of Presidents Cup following knee surgery

Melbourne, Oct. 21: Tiger Woods said he is feeling good again after knee surgery as the 15-time major champion eyes the Presidents Cup in Australia.

Woods underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee to repair minor cartilage damage in August, having secured a remarkable Masters success in April – his first major title in almost 11 years.

The 43-year-old, who made a spectacular return from career-threatening back injuries in 2018 by claiming the season-ending Tour Championship, will captain the United States at the Presidents Cup, which starts in Melbourne in December.

It remains to be seen whether Woods, who could choose himself as a captain's pick to face the International team, will play at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, but the American star is hopeful.

"It [left knee] just kind of deteriorated over the year,'' Woods told reporters Monday at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, where the Zozo Championship – the first official PGA Tour tournament in Japan – will take place, starting Thursday.

"It's one of the reasons we were planning on doing it last year. But I screwed up by winning the Tour Championship [in September 2018], and I thought I could keep it rolling.

"It affected the way my back was feeling and my practice schedule. I've been down this road. That was my fifth [knee] operation. It's been nice to have it moving again and not have it catch and lock up. A lot of wear and tear over the year. It's been stressed out for a very long time, and it was nice having it cleaned up.

"It made me more hopeful that I could do all of the above, play this week, play [the Hero World Challenge] and play Australia. The way I was feeling towards the middle part of the year, it was going to be a tall order to be able to do it all.

"I'm excited about having this end-of-the-year run where I'm feeling fitter and I don't have the achiness that I've been dealing with for the last couple years."

"I want to be fit and ready for the end of the year,'' Woods continued. "[I've] Been battling through this year. Nice to get over the hump and start feeling good again and go at it full speed.''