Tiger Woods is aware of taking part in by way of ache attributable to plantar fasciitis in his proper foot in all probability is not the most effective factor for his long-term restoration, however the 15-time main champion mentioned it is a sacrifice he is prepared to make to compete along with his son on this weekend’s PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Woods and his son, Charlie, had been each noticeably limping throughout Friday’s pro-am on the Ritz-Carlton Golf Membership. Tiger mentioned his 13-year-old son sprained an ankle however might be able to go after they tee off in Saturday’s first spherical with Justin Thomas and his father, Mike, at 12:17 p.m. ET.
Tiger Woods, who continues to be recovering from accidents suffered in a automotive wreck outdoors Los Angeles in February 2021, will be capable of use a cart within the 36-hole scramble.
“You realize, I do not actually care about that,” Woods mentioned, of the potential for delaying his restoration. “I feel being there with and alongside my son is much extra vital, and [getting] to have an opportunity to have this expertise with him is much better than my foot being slightly creaky.”
It will likely be the third look within the occasion for Tiger and Charlie Woods; they completed seventh in 2020 and had been runner-up by 2 pictures to John Daly and his son final 12 months.
“Any time I get an opportunity to spend time with my son, it is at all times particular,” Tiger mentioned. “And to do it in a aggressive discussion board, the final couple of years have been magical, and to have the ability to do it once more, we’re trying ahead to it.”
Due to the plantar fasciitis, Tiger mentioned he wasn’t able to decide to a schedule for 2023. He performed in simply 9 rounds in three main championships this previous season. He mentioned having to sleep in a protecting boot has been annoying.
“I am doing all the things,” Tiger mentioned. “It is irritating as a result of each day I’ve to do it, after which on high of that it is attempting to sleep within the rattling boot, it is no enjoyable. My left leg is bleeding generally as a result of the boot hits it. It is simply annoying. It is a kind of issues that, hey, I am grateful to have this limb and it is mine. It is not some pretend limb; it is mine. And, sure, there are some points with it, however I nonetheless have it.”
Woods mentioned his closest pals on the PGA Tour are urging him to decelerate. He was compelled to drag out of the Hero World Problem within the Bahamas earlier this month due to plantar fasciitis. He performed 12 holes with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy in a made-for-TV match in opposition to Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth final week. Woods was ready to make use of a cart in that occasion as effectively.
“It has been so much more durable than folks in all probability think about,” Tiger mentioned. “There’s a few of the gamers who’re very near me know what I’ve form of gone by way of, and so they’re those that preserve encouraging me to again off slightly bit. However that is probably not in my nature. My nature is attempting to get higher, and I’ve. And thru work ethic, I used to be in a position to play and compete in three main championships this 12 months.”
Woods mentioned he’ll shut it down on Monday and can relaxation and heal. He’ll then attempt to ramp his recreation up once more, presumably earlier than the primary main championship of 2023 on the Masters at Augusta Nationwide in April.
“If I did not have the plantar feeling like this, then, sure, I might inform you [how much I’m going to play in 2023] and I might have a greater concept,” Woods mentioned. “However I am purported to be resting this factor and stretching and letting it heal, however I am not doing that in the mean time.”
