JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Tiger Woods, an assistant to U.S. Captain Steve Stricker at this week’s Presidents Cup at Liberty National, reiterated Wednesday he hopes one day to return to competition. As for why he wants to return, that’s simple. “I think it’s fun,â€� Woods said at a news conference in which he sat alongside the three other U.S. assistants and the four for International Team Captain Nick Price. “You know, I’ve been competing in golf tournaments since I was, what, 4 years old. From pitch, putt and drive to playing major championships, it’s always been fun to me.â€� Although he won five times on the PGA TOUR in 2013, Woods has made just 19 starts since then, including one in 2017, at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He shot 76-72 to miss the cut, and announced in April that he had undergone back fusion surgery—his fourth back operation in three years. He hasn’t taken a full swing since then, although he announced last week he was hitting 60-yard shots. Woods will turn 42 in December. “He loves being here,â€� Stricker said. “He’s very appreciative of it. I’ve had some conversations with him and I know his aspirations are still to come back and play well, and win again.â€� To a man, players – even those on the International team — speak of soaking up knowledge when they’re around the 79-time PGA TOUR winner Woods. Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, each 24, grew up watching him on TV. But Stricker said he hoped this week would also offer Woods something in return, perhaps some peace of mind, rejuvenation, or even just a good laugh while reconnecting to the game and its players. “I wanted Tiger here,â€� Stricker said. “He’s a friend.â€� Woods wasn’t always sure he would make it, what with his fragile back and the usual jouncing up and down of simply riding in a golf cart. He has made slow progress, though, and is at least sleeping better and has no nerve pain running down his legs. “I don’t know what 100 percent means after eight surgeries,â€� he said. “But I’ll try and get as close as I can to that number, yes. But as I said, we just take it one step at a time. It’s a process, and I’m in no hurry.â€� He has been well enough for putting contests with fellow South Floridians Rickie Fowler and Thomas when they drop by. And what about those 60-yard shots? “I’m hitting it really straight,â€� Woods said, an attempt at levity. “It’s a joke,â€� he added. “Smile, OK?â€� Woods knows Liberty National well, having lost by a shot to Heath Slocum when the course hosted THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2009. He has played on eight Presidents Cup teams, starting with the 1998 matches at Royal Melbourne, the site of the Internationals’ lone victory against nine losses and one tie. That experience, plus his Ryder Cup history, his three straight U.S. Amateur titles, his 14 major titles—all of it gives him instant credibility as an assistant. Brooks Koepka, who along with Daniel Berger, Spieth and Patrick Reed is playing in the U.S. Team’s four-man pod overseen by Woods this week, remembers playing with Woods for the first time at the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York. “I spent the first nine holes watching him instead of playing golf,â€� Koepka said. “We talked about stuff, but I was more interested in watching him; I’ve done that my whole career. He hasn’t given me too much advice. He’s fun to be around. I’ll pick his brain about course management, since he knows more about it than I do. I’ve never been here.â€� Easily the youngest assistant captain on either team, Woods huddled with fellow assistants Fred Couples, Jim Furyk and Davis Love III as Stricker announced the U.S. Team’s Foursomes partnerships Wednesday. But will he ever be a player again? And what would that be like for 20-somethings like Koepka, who have ruled the game? Playing against a ghost? A highlight reel? “It would be fun to have him back,â€� Koepka said. “Fans want it. Players want it.â€� Most of all, perhaps, Woods wants it, even if the “itâ€� in question is as iffy as ever. Asked if he could foresee a future in which he did not return to competitive golf, Woods didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, definitely,â€� he said. “I don’t know what my future holds for me.â€�
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