Tiger Woods has made comebacks before at his event in the Bahamas, but this is a comeback of a much different sort. For the first time since his horrific February car accident, Tiger Woods will speak with reporters Tuesday at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Woods, 45, suffered significant injuries to his lower body during a car crash on Feb. 23 in southern California, which has kept him from competing and also largely out of the public eye. When it happened, Woods was still nursing back pain from a separate injury and just one day removed from an on-air interview with Jim Nantz during the Genesis Invitational broadcast. He was headed to a Golf Digest video shoot when he crossed a median traveling downhill at nearly twice the speed limit.
Besides the occasional photo that has spread of him on crutches, in a wheelchair, riding a golf cart, etc., Woods has largely been out of the public eye ever since. Then suddenly, a week ago, he posted a 3-second video to his social media channels with the caption “making progress,” but the world has yet to hear him discuss anything at length.
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But this week, Woods hosts some of the best golfers in the world at Albany in the Bahamas for his annual invitational tournament. As in the past, that means Woods will be conducting a pre-tournament press conference Tuesday morning — even though he will not be competing — which was confirmed by the PGA Tour press team Monday. Woods will speak with the press at 9 a.m. Eastern time, which will be viewable across the PGA Tour’s social channels.
Shortly after it was confirmed by the PGA Tour, Golf Digest released a 41-minute video interview where Woods explained his current health state, his future prospects competing on the PGA Tour and other details about his last nine months. Woods has often given exclusive interviews to Digest as part of a content deal he has with its parent company, Discovery.
What will Woods have to say Tuesday? We will have to wait and see. He made a brief statement on Wednesday of Masters week when the investigation into his accident was officially completed:
“I am so grateful to both of the good samaritans who came to assist me and called 911. I am also thankful to the LASD Deputies and the LA Firefighter/Paramedis, especially LA Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Gonazlez and LAFD Engine Co. #106 Fire Paramedics Smith and Gimenez, for helping me so expertly at the scene and getting me safely to the hospital,” it read. “I will continue to focus on my recovery and family, and thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouragement I’ve received throughout this very difficult time.”
