Woods ready to swing back into action

Former world number one Tiger Woods will return to action next week with just a month to go before the British Open. Woods will play in the Quicken Loans National, which benefits his foundation, on the PGA Tour next week.

Woods missed the year’s first two major championships after undergoing back surgery on March 31 and has not played since the WGC-Cadillac Championship earlier that month.

The 38-year-old wrote on his Facebook page: “After a lot of therapy I have recovered well and will be supporting my foundation next week at the Quicken Loans National. I’ve just started to hit full shots but it’s time to take the next step. I will be a bit rusty but I want to play myself back into competitive shape. Excited for the challenge ahead.”

Woods had said on May 19 his recovery was “low and tedious’ adding: “As of right now I can chip and putt but that’s it.’

But in response to a report on Tuesday that he had stepped up his practice regime, the 14-time major winner’s agent Mark Steinberg said: “Tiger is making continual progress. He feels better each day and (is able to) extend his swing as he moves forward.”

Barring any relapse, Woods will be able to contest the Open Championship from July 17-20 at Hoylake, where he won the last of his three Open titles in 2006.