Woods practises, appears pain free

Tiger Woods began a practice round for the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday showing no signs of back pain just three days after back spasms sidelined him.

At the same venue where he claimed the 2000 PGA Championship as part of his “Tiger Slam” of four major wins in a row, the 38-year-old American drew a huge crowd with every move after his playing status had been in doubt for the past two days.

The 14-time major champion pulled out of Sunday’s final round of the World Golf Championship event in Akron, Ohio, with a back injury.

Woods, who underwent back surgery on March 31 to relieve a pinched nerve, jarred his back on the second hole at Firestone Country Club and withdrew after wincing in pain following a tee shot at the ninth.

After going home to Florida for treatment and examination by doctors, Woods arrived on Wednesday afternoon at Valhalla and showed no signs of pain or problems bending during practice swings at the driving range.

Woods is scheduled to start off the 10th tee at 8:35am Thursday (1235 GMT) alongside two other past PGA Championship winners, fellow American Phil Mickelson and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.

Woods missed the Masters and US Open while recovering from the surgery and played his first event since the operation in late June at the PGA event owned by his charity foundation, missing the cut at Congressional Country Club but expressing happiness at being able to play again.

Last month, Woods finished level 69th at the British Open, marking the worst 72-hole major finish of his pro career and setting the stage for his dramatic exit last week in Akron, Ohio.

Rivals were hoping that Woods would be healthy enough to play this week.

“He still has a huge impact,” said Rickie Fowler, a runner-up at this year’s US and British Opens.

“I want to see Tiger around, but I want to see him healthy and at his best, and unfortunately he’s not healthy and at his best right now.

“But the game still does need him. He’s a big draw. A lot of people still love watching him play.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!