Tiger Woods is playing golf again.
His return to playing on the biggest stages in golf, however, remains unknown.
The 14-time major champion, who hasn’t played a competitive round since finishing in a tie for 10th in the Wyndham Championship last August as he continues to rehab a surgically repaired back, hit the ceremonial tee shot Monday and then played a few holes at Bluejack National Golf Club in Montgomery, Texas, his first design in the United States.
Woods, who has had three surgical procedures to the same spot in his back, two coming since September, was joined by fellow Masters and British Open champion Mark O’Meara as they played five holes at the private club and resort-style community set on 755 acres northwest of Houston.
"I'm definitely a little tired but I feel pretty good," Woods said afterward, according to ESPN. "I haven't been out here playing like this. I hadn't played any holes until today. I know people have said I've played holes back at Medalist, but I haven't. This is actually the first time I've played holes Wyndham. It's been awhile."
According to ESPN and Woods’ twitter account, the 79-time PGA Tour winner went through a full warm-up session in front of hundreds of club members and members of the media, then split the fairway with the ceremonial tee shot. He followed up with a wedge to the green and two-putted for par on the 10th hole.
"I haven't set any date to when I'm playing again, which is frustrating to say," he said Monday. "But to be honest with you, that's what I've had to do. I've had to go with that mindset. Would I have said that five months ago? No way. I couldn't imagine then feeling like I do right now. Keep improving. Keep getting better. Keep making progress. And I'm doing that."
Woods also tested two new drivers Monday.
"I've got to get stronger and I've got to get faster," he said. "I'm not hitting it very far right now. I still have a lot more to go in the tank as far as speed, which is great. I'm able to hit the ball as far as I am right now just cruising. Then trying to work on new drivers too, at the same time. That's kind of a test.
"I know I need to hit a bunch of drivers. But I can't hit a bunch of drivers. I'm trying to figure that out."
Woods’ appearance at Bluejack National followed a clinic he conducted at a junior golf tournament in South Carolina on Friday, according to his agent, Mark Steinberg.
Reports say Woods has ramped up his work on the golf course and in the gym in recent weeks. It was first reported by Golfweek that Woods registered April 4 – the Monday of the Masters – for the 116th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in June. That, however, doesn’t mean he’ll play.
Because of the recent activity, speculation has sprouted about his return, starting with the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C., next week. The deadline to commit to the tournament is Friday at 5 p.m. ET.
Or he could return for The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., the following week. Or the Memorial two weeks later. Or the U.S. Open.
Time will tell.
