Woods to make season debut next week

Tiger Woods has announced he will make his season debut next week in San Diego at the Buick Invitational after skipping the first five events of the year following knee surgery.

“Things are progressing nicely and I will officially enter the Buick Invitational on Thursday,” he said.

“I’m starting to get accustomed to having full practices and I’m excited about working on my game again.”

The world’s best golfer also responded to critical comments by Phil Mickelson, who claimed Woods is playing with inferior equipment, calling him the only player “good enough to overcame the equipment he’s stuck with“.

“I heard it was said in fun and jest, but until I talk to him, I really don’t know,” said Woods.

“When I find out, I’ll get a better perspective.

“Phil is entitled to his own opinion, but as everyone knows, I don’t switch equipment until I find something as good or better than what I have been playing with, and my Nike products are just that. I’ve said it time and time again.”

Woods, who has endorsed Nike since joining the PGA Tour in 1996, made the switch from Titleist clubs to a Nike driver and irons last year. He has won four majors with the Nike ball and two more after switching drivers.

Woods has not played a PGA Tour event since he tied for seventh at the season-ending Tour Championship. He won five times last season en route to his fourth straight player of the year award.

On Tuesday, Woods played 18 holes for the first time since his December 12 knee surgery.

“I played with my dad and he hit it pretty darn good for age 70,” said Woods. “I was pleased with the way I hit it, too. I shot 66, which isn’t too bad.”