Tiger: Dubai Desert Classic Not Ruled Out
Those factors have led many observers to speculate that Woods might not return to the PGA Tour until mid-2009, or perhaps at The Masters in April if his recovery goes particularly well.
Woods, however, might have different plans. At a news conference in Dubai on Monday, Tiger said he wasn't ready to rule out a return at the Dubai Desert Classic in late January:
"I don't know my schedule for next year…I will be hitting golf balls at the beginning of the year," Woods said at a news conference in the Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai on Monday.Speaking at the launch of a four-billion-dirham ($1.09-billion) golf project Woods designed in Dubai, the winner of 14 major titles said the injury was "frustrating" but he did not rule himself out from the desert event which begins on January 27.
"I don't how my knee will heal," he added.
A return at the end of January when he won't even be taking swings until early January? Put that in the category of I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it. But if there's one thing we've learned about Tiger, it's to never bet against him. But this strikes me more as hopefulness - and keeping the ticket sales going for the people who are paying you tons of money to design a course.
As for that golf course Woods is designing in Dubai, he says he looked Down Under for ideas:
Woods said he drew inspiration for his first course from clubs in the "sandbelt" golfing region near Melbourne, Australia. "We want this golf course to play fast, quick," he said, while remaining appealing to a broad range of players.
In addition to Woods, Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia, Pete Dye and Vijay Singh are currently working on design projects in Dubai, and Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie courses have opened within the past two years. More on the Dubai golf rush here.
Comments
I’m sorry – but the guys writing this story should be writing for The Globe. “Hey – I’ll make a wild prediction based loosely on what he sort of said in the interview…and..and…and…(pausing to catch his breath before hyperventilating with childlike excitement)….and IF I’m right, I can write ANOTHER article about how smart I is…err..am.”
Tiger said that it would be 9 months from the surgery before he is ready to play again. Nine months is…The Masters. Not January. Not even February. If he’s back more than 2 weeks before Augusta, I’ll be shocked.
You’re right Brent – the idea of Tiger playing competitive golf in January is an “I’ll believe it if I see it” thought. (I’m not going to give it “idea” status) It should have passed from one side of this guy’s head and into the “really embarrassing thoughts that I don’t want anybody to know I had” basket.