Woods is delighted with his progress as return to action nears

GOLF NEWS:TIGER WOODS has admitted he will approach his return to competitive action on an event-by-event basis rather than head into a full schedule.

The world number one is close to making a return to competitive action for the first time since last June’s US Open, when he won his 14th major playing with a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee and a double stress fracture of the lower left leg.

Woods (33) revealed that it was just a matter of building his stamina before he would be ready to return but the imminent birth of his second child meant the American will take his comeback step-by-step.

“A lot depends on the baby, which is due pretty soon. That takes precedent over anything I do golf-wise. Elin, Sam and I are very excited for the new baby to arrive, although that’s when the real lack of sleep begins,” he added, referring to his 19-month-old daughter Sam Alexis.

“Once I come back, I’m not sure how much I will play,” Woods said.

“The perfect scenario is I come back without a hitch and play a full schedule.

“At this point, especially with the baby coming, I’m taking it tournament-to-tournament. With our new addition, it’s going to be a hectic spring.”

What is certain is that Woods is delighted with the progress he is making with instructor Hank Haney as he continues his rehabilitation from reconstructive knee surgery following his US Open play-off victory over Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines last June.

“I did some work with Hank Haney for a few days last week and it’s all good,” Woods continued.

“I’m full-bore with my practice sessions and have no restrictions; it’s just a matter of getting my golf endurance up. I don’t have my golf stamina back yet.”

Woods also underlined that despite having only started to swing a golf club in December, he was already impressed with the way his left knee had reacted to a return to full shot making.

“Many people have asked me if my swing has changed since the surgery and the answer is no,” he added.

“I’m doing all the things I’ve been trying to do for a long time but I can actually hit into my left leg without my bones moving. It’s a nice feeling!

“It is so much better than it ever has been because my bones aren’t grinding against each other.”

Woods last month spoke in Washington DC at the opening concert of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration and revealed he has pencilled in a round of golf with the US president.

“President Obama was very busy, so we didn’t get to talk much,” he said. “I didn’t want to get in his way. I did ask him if he wanted to play golf and he said, ‘I’d love to’. So we’ll make it happen.”