Tiger Woods is preparing for his first tournament rounds since undergoing back surgery. The 15-time major champion will play with his 15-year-old son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship. This marks his return to competitive golf since The Open in July. In September, Woods had microdepression surgery on his lumbar spine due to nerve impingement.
Woods chose not to participate in the Hero World Challenge earlier this month. He mentioned that he considered missing the chance to team up with Charlie as well. "My leg is what it is. It's still here," Woods stated. He added that while his back has improved, there's still a long recovery ahead.

The surgery was intended to give him the best opportunity to play alongside Charlie. Although not competitive now, Woods values the experience of playing with his son. "This has always been one of the bigger highlights of the year for us as a family," he said.
Preparing for competitive golf requires dedication over months and weeks. Woods emphasised that it starts with daily routines and doing small tasks correctly. "Unfortunately, I've gone through this process a number of times," he admitted, highlighting the frustration involved.
Despite having an excellent support team, Woods acknowledged the importance of personal effort in recovery. "I have to do the little things on a daily basis and get away from everybody," he noted about his challenging journey.
At the Hero World Challenge, Woods presented Scottie Scheffler with the trophy after Scheffler's 16th victory in under three years. Scheffler's achievements include nine wins in 2024 alone, such as a second major at The Masters and Olympic gold in Paris.
Woods praised Scheffler's consistency over recent years. "He moves around a lot in his swing, but if you watch that ball flight, it doesn't really do a lot," Woods observed about Scheffler's technique.
Woods admires how Scheffler manages pressure and expectations effectively. "He's just coming into his own," Woods remarked about watching Scheffler develop as a player. He believes this could be an incredible year for Scheffler.
Woods highlighted that everyone can make mistakes or have good runs but noted how impressive Scheffler's performance remains even during challenging times. "Not making mistakes adds up," Woods concluded about Scheffler's ability to avoid compounding errors.
As Tiger Woods continues his recovery journey, he remains focused on playing alongside Charlie while appreciating fellow golfers like Scottie Scheffler who are excelling on the course.