Tiger Woods has got a new sponsor for his World Challenge, but there is no news yet on a new swing coach.
The former world No1 parted ways with Sean Foley after missing the cut at the PGA Championship in August. He injured his back again the week before while playing the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and later also pulled out of contention for the Ryder Cup wild card picks.
Yesterday, while unveiling India’s motorcycle giants Hero MotoCorp as the new title sponsors for his December 4-7 tournament at Isleworth Country Club, Woods said he is yet to swing a club since the PGA Championship, and that he is no hurry to look for a new swing coach.
“As of right now, no I’m not looking for a new coach,” said Woods, who features in the Hero World Challenge, his comeback event.
“Golf-wise, I have done nothing,” added Woods, who had a microdiscectomy surgery in March and missed the Masters and US Open.
“I haven’t swung a golf club yet, just shallow swing without a club. But I’ve been busting my butt in the gym pretty hard.
“I’ve got my strength back, which is nice. Now the next goal is to get my explosiveness and my fast twitch going, and that’s the next phase of my training.
“I want to be back where I used to be. I want to get that speed back.”
Woods said he hasn’t planned his schedule beyond the World Challenge and would take it day-by-day.
“That’s all dependent on how I feel and how I’m playing when I play in the Hero World Challenge,” he said. “That’s something I’m curious about. I’m curious, just like I’m sure most of the media guys are here, how I’m going to be feeling, how I’m going to be playing, and if I don’t have any setbacks or any pain, then I foresee a very full schedule next year.”
And Woods laughed off the comments by Rory McIlroy last week that he and Phil Mickelson were getting old and playing the “last few holes” of their careers.
“I thought it was funny,” Woods said. “Phil has less holes to play than I do, though. What is he, five years older than me or four? Five.
“It’s a reality. We’re all older. I’ve been out here for a while, Phil’s been out here for a while. It’s part of the ageing process.”
The Hero World Challenge will be a 72-hole stroke play event and co-sponsored by the PGA Tour. Woods is expected to be joined at his tournament by defending champion Zach Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Chris Kirk and the new FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel. The rest of the field will be announced soon.
