Golf: Tiger Woods considers himself "still far" from a return to the top level

The Tiger will have to wait to roar again.

Tiger Woods is "still far" from a possible return to competition, he said on Saturday, nine months after the serious car accident in which his right leg was badly damaged.

Winner of 15 Grand Slam tournaments, Woods continues to train but cannot yet take the risk of making a normal swing, at high speed, and wants to avoid a relapse in full rehabilitation at all costs.

"Playing golf for a laugh is easy," Woods told a reporter for the American channel NBC on the sidelines of the Hero World Challenge, a tournament he is organizing and sponsoring this week in the Bahamas, for the benefit of his Foundation.

"But playing on the circuit and being ready to play to score well against the best players, on the most demanding courses, is really another matter," he added.

. @ TigerWoods was impressed with the play of the young golfers for Team USA during this year's Ryder Cup.

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Round three coverage of the #HeroWorldChallenge continues on NBC and @peacockTV.

pic.twitter.com/zZQIeF4Ea5

- Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 4, 2021

“I can hit the ball but not as far as I used to.

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“I am still far from it.

You will have to wait a while longer before seeing me on the circuit with the required level of play, ”concluded the Tiger, for his first public interview, on television, since his accident in February near Los Angeles.

Woods was at the driving range on Saturday hitting balls with his driver, but without using the power he had from his Major wins.

“I can hit the ball, with any club, but it doesn't go as far as it used to.

There is not the required power.

But I'm still not at the point where I can hear the ball drop, so it's okay, ”joked the golf superstar.

The 🐐 in full swing!

👀 @ TigerWoods // #HeroWorldChallenge pic.twitter.com/Axzc2HLmY3

- Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 2, 2021

Earlier this week, Woods told Golf Digest magazine that he didn't see himself returning full-time to the US PGA Tour, but that he didn't rule out participating in a few tournaments each year.

“I still have a lot of work to do.

I fight, I work hard, but I am not at the end of my troubles, ”concluded the Tiger.

He could still participate before Christmas in a charity tournament, with his family, with his son Charlie, according to some media.