Fourteen-time Major winner Tiger Woods will return to the PGA Tour for the first time in 417 days next week when he participates in the Safeway Open next week. It will be Woods’ first event since August of 2015.
The Safeway Open is the first event of the 2016-2017 PGA Tour schedule. If his body can handle the tournament, Woods plans to move on to the Turkish Airlines Open on Noember 3-6, and then his own Hero World Challenge Dec. 1-4.
Woods’ imminent return had his fellow pros buzzing on social media.
“I miss the Tiger buzz. He brings an aura and atmosphere to the tournament that no one else can bring,” tweeted FedEx Cup Champion Rory McIlroy.
“It can only say positive things about the sport. It’s great. No one moves the needle like Tiger Woods. He’s the only one who transcends the sport,” added Graeme McDowell.
Woods has spent more than 600 weeks ranked No. 1, the most of any golfer ever. He was #1 as recently as 2013, but currently sits No. 767.