Tiger Woods: Golf star excludes return as a full professional after an accident

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Tiger Woods (archive image)

Photo: Ringo Chiu / dpa

Recently, there has been intense speculation about a possible return of Tiger Woods to the golf circus.

Nine months after his serious car accident, the golf star spoke up himself - with a sobering announcement.

For himself he no longer assumes a complete return to the PGA tour with quality for the absolute top of the world.

"I think something that is realistic is to be played on the tour again one day - never again full-time - but to be selected," Woods said in an interview published on Monday with "Golf Digest".

He'll pick a couple of tournaments and prepare for them.

“I think that's how I'll have to play from now on.

This is an unfortunate reality, but it is my reality.

I understand that and I accept that. "

The five-time Masters winner emphasized that he no longer needs to win tournaments to have a good life.

After his penultimate operation on his back, he »had to climb Mount Everest one more time.

I had to, and I did, "he said, referring to the 2019 Masters victory." This time I don't have the body to climb Mount Everest and that's okay, "said Woods.

Spent months in bed

When his leg is okay, he can still play golf and take part in tournaments.

"But when it comes to climbing the mountain again and getting to the top, I don't think that's a realistic expectation of me."

The American had gotten off the road in his car in Los Angeles on February 23, rolled over several times and suffered complicated fractures in his leg.

He was hospitalized for three weeks and then in a hospital bed at his home in Florida for another three months, he said.

Just last week, Woods caused a stir with a short video showing him hitting a golf course and fueled hopes of a comeback.

But he still had a long way to go before he recovered, he said now: "I'm not even halfway there."

jok / dpa