Yankee 21
01-07-2003, 01:03 PM
Tiger Continues to Make Progress
6 January 2003 by Mark Soltau
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Tiger Woods hits a tee shot on the 7th hole during the final round of the Buick Invitational
Tiger Woods continues to make steady progress after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee December 12 in Park City, Utah. The world's top-ranked golfer has yet to swing a club since the operation, but practiced his putting last Friday at his home course in Florida.
"I'm just listening to my trainer and surgeon, but everything seems to be going well," Woods said. "I'm just taking it day-to-day and doing everything the doctors tell me."
Woods, who turned 27 last Monday, played much of the 2002 PGA Tour season in pain. After finishing second at the Target World Challenge last month, he opted for surgery. Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg removed fluid and benign cysts from his anterior cruciate ligament.
"It's definitely getting better," said Woods, who spent part of the holidays in Stockholm, Sweden with his girlfriend, Elin Nordegren. "At least I'm able to get out and do stuff. I'm doing a lot of cardio rehab on an exercise bike. I should be ready for the Tour de France by mid-July."
Woods will not compete in the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii and isn't sure when he will make his 2003 debut.
"I don't want to play in pain again," he said. "However long the doctor says to wait, that's what I'm going to do. Once he gives me the okay to practice, that's it."
While some have speculated Woods will return to action at the Buick Invitational, Feb. 13-16, there is no assurance.
"I can't really judge whether I will be ready to go by then," said Woods.
Assuming there are no setbacks, Woods has a tentative schedule that begins with putting, then progresses to chipping, short irons, mid irons, long irons, fairway woods and his driver.
Although Woods is eager to start playing golf again, he has enjoyed his time off.
"For the most part, the holidays were great," said Woods. "Except for photographers camping out in front of our house every day, Sweden was cool. They didn't leave for 2 ½ days, which was very unfortunate."
This, despite minus 20-degree temperatures.
"We kept them telling them, 'Why don't you go home and spend the holidays with your families,' but they wouldn't leave," he said. "I felt bad for their families."
Woods spent Christmas in Florida with family and close friends.
"I got everything I wanted," said Woods, who especially enjoyed receiving the new James Bond video collection.
6 January 2003 by Mark Soltau
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Tiger Woods hits a tee shot on the 7th hole during the final round of the Buick Invitational
Tiger Woods continues to make steady progress after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee December 12 in Park City, Utah. The world's top-ranked golfer has yet to swing a club since the operation, but practiced his putting last Friday at his home course in Florida.
"I'm just listening to my trainer and surgeon, but everything seems to be going well," Woods said. "I'm just taking it day-to-day and doing everything the doctors tell me."
Woods, who turned 27 last Monday, played much of the 2002 PGA Tour season in pain. After finishing second at the Target World Challenge last month, he opted for surgery. Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg removed fluid and benign cysts from his anterior cruciate ligament.
"It's definitely getting better," said Woods, who spent part of the holidays in Stockholm, Sweden with his girlfriend, Elin Nordegren. "At least I'm able to get out and do stuff. I'm doing a lot of cardio rehab on an exercise bike. I should be ready for the Tour de France by mid-July."
Woods will not compete in the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii and isn't sure when he will make his 2003 debut.
"I don't want to play in pain again," he said. "However long the doctor says to wait, that's what I'm going to do. Once he gives me the okay to practice, that's it."
While some have speculated Woods will return to action at the Buick Invitational, Feb. 13-16, there is no assurance.
"I can't really judge whether I will be ready to go by then," said Woods.
Assuming there are no setbacks, Woods has a tentative schedule that begins with putting, then progresses to chipping, short irons, mid irons, long irons, fairway woods and his driver.
Although Woods is eager to start playing golf again, he has enjoyed his time off.
"For the most part, the holidays were great," said Woods. "Except for photographers camping out in front of our house every day, Sweden was cool. They didn't leave for 2 ½ days, which was very unfortunate."
This, despite minus 20-degree temperatures.
"We kept them telling them, 'Why don't you go home and spend the holidays with your families,' but they wouldn't leave," he said. "I felt bad for their families."
Woods spent Christmas in Florida with family and close friends.
"I got everything I wanted," said Woods, who especially enjoyed receiving the new James Bond video collection.