04-18-2019, 06:31 AM
Feeling rusty but ready to play again, Tiger Woods said Friday he would return to competition next week at Congressional in the Quicken Loans National. Woods last played on March 9 at Doral, where he dealt with pain in his lower back and closed with a 78 for his highest final-round score on the PGA Tour. He had back surgery March 31, forcing him to miss the Masters for the first time. He also missed the U.S. Open last week at Pinehurst No. 2. The announcement on his Facebook page delivered a jolt of good news to golf. Woods has been the games biggest draw since he turned pro in 1996, and with limited information about his recovery, speculation was starting to build that he might not make it to any majors this year. "After a lot of therapy, I have recovered well and will be supporting my foundation next week at the Quicken Loans National," Woods said on Facebook. "Ive just started to hit full shots, but its 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." This is the first year for a new title sponsor at the PGA Tour event that donates its charity money to the Tiger Woods Foundation, and the tournament earlier this year secured an agreement to return to Congressional every other year through 2020. Woods on Thursday announced that he signed a new endorsement deal with MusclePharm, which will display its logo on his golf bag. "He has been the face of golf for the last 15, 20 years, and golf is a better sport and a better place with Tiger Woods in it," two-time major champion Rory McIlroy said last week at the U.S. Open. "So hopefully, he has a speedy recovery and he gets back on the course soon, because any tournament where Tiger Woods is a factor, he creates a big buzz." This is the second-longest break Woods has taken from golf because of injury. He missed the second half of the 2008 season when he had reconstructive surgery on his left knee just a week after winning the U.S. Open for his 14th major. Even though he spent the off-season working on his body, there were signs early that something might be wrong. He missed the 54-hole cut at Torrey Pines, where he was the defending champion and an eight-time winner at one of his favourite courses. He had his worst finish ever at Dubai when he tied for 41st. Then, he withdrew in the final round of the Honda Classic because of back spasms, and despite being in the penultimate group at Doral, he struggled badly with his back on the final day after taking a swing from an awkward stance outside a bunker. Woods had microdiscectomy surgery a week before the Masters, and he has said in rare appearances that he did not know how long it would take to properly heal. His agent, Mark Steinberg at Excel Sports Management, said earlier this week that Woods was making enough progress to extend his swing. Even so, playing the Quicken Loans National was thought to be too soon. It couldnt come soon enough for the tournament. "Were thrilled, obviously," said Mike Antolini, the tournament director and vice-president of championships for the Tiger Woods Foundation. "Anytime you get that call and Tiger is in your field, its really the best news you can get. The fact hes a two-time champion and the tournament hosts, were very excited for the fans." He said he expected a spike in ticket sales with Fridays announcement. The strength of Quicken Loans National field has suffered in recent years as more Europeans moved into the top 20 in the world, and they headed across the Atlantic Ocean as the European Tour headed places like Ireland, France and Scotland leading up to the British Open. Adam Scott, who has replaced Woods at No. 1 in the world while he has been out, is not planning to return to Congressional this year. "To be honest, we were prepared regardless for a good event," Antolini said. "Our ticket sales, we think theyre going to be increased on this news now." Three years ago, Woods withdrew after nine holes at The Players Championship because of an Achilles tendon injury and missed more than two months. He said then he had learned from past mistakes and would not try to return before he was in full health. Assuming he is at full strength now, he likely will be at the British Open at Royal Liverpool and the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he won majors the last time they were held on those courses. Woods been stuck on 14 majors since that 08 U.S. Open victory. Woods is at No. 207 in the FedEx Cup -- having played only three events -- and could have as many as five events to reach the top 125. He also is at No. 67 in the Ryder Cup standings. U.S. captain Tom Watson has said he would use a wild-card pick on Woods, though he had eased off that position in recent weeks when the status of Woods recovery was unknown. Bobby Hull Jersey .com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Blake Wheeler Jersey . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years. http://www.officialwinnipegjetspro.com/K...ts-jersey/. The Reds will host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park, and the debut matchup will feature a pair of pitchers whose recent resumes have included a fair number of bases-clearing hits. Dale Hawerchuk Jersey . The alleged sexual assault is believed to have happened over the weekend of Feb. 1, when the hockey team was in Thunder Bay for two games against Lakehead University. The criminal investigation branch of the Thunder Bay Police Service is leading the investigation with help from Ottawa police. Custom Winnipeg Jets Jerseys .com) - Maria Sharapova reached her 10th career grand slam final after beating Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets at the Australian Open on Thursday.INDIANAPOLIS - Paul George is getting back on his feet.Less than two months after sustaining a gruesome compound fracture of his right leg, team doctors have cleared the Pacers two-time All-Star to put weight on his injured leg and begin upper body work in the weight room.Hes down to one crutch or no crutches, coach Frank Vogel said Thursday at the teams annual golf outing near Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the past three or four weeks, hes been doing core work, upper body work in the weight room, and they want him to put weight on it.Thats good news for George, who still hopes to beat the odds and return to the team later this season. Team doctors have told George while its likely hell make a full recovery, it may take 12 months.He was injured during a U.S. national team scrimmage Aug. 1 in Las Vegas when his leg snapped after colliding with a basketball stanchion. George told reporters last month that doctors placed pins in his knee and ankle to stabilize a rod that was inserted into the injured leg, which was broken in two places but did not damage any ligaments, tendons, joints or nerves. Three days later, he returned to his suburban Indianapolis home.Over the past several weeks, Georges workload has been ramping up. He could soon become more involved with his teammates -- many of whom have been working out in Indianapolis before training camp opens Tuesday. Some have seen or spoken with George regularly.Hes doing great, said free-agent signee C.J. Miles, who will help fill the scoring void. Hes in there every day lifting. It just shows his character and who he is, a guy who will do whatever he can to help his team win.Vogel knows having George around will provide inspiration for the team, and other players such as All-Star centre Roy Hibbert, power forward David West and point guard George Hill will be motivated to disprove those predicting gloom for the two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups in Georges absence.Vogel believes his 24-year-old star can provide help from the bench.ddddddddddddIve given him a clipboard to chart deflections and contested shots. We cant just let him sit around, Vogel said. Any time you have an opportunity to observe the game or your team or your system, I think it helps you grow your understanding of everything.It could help turn George into an even better player when he returns. After this tumultuous off-season, theres plenty George can learn.Hes missing friend and teammate Lance Stephenson, who signed with Charlotte in free agency; been involved in a paternity hearing and made the headlines this month after using his Twitter account to opine about former NFL star Ray Rice and domestic violence.George later deleted the offensive tweets and posted an apology, saying he didnt intend to downplay the situation.Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird responded a few hours after Georges initial posts with a statement that called the comments thoughtless and without regard to the subject of domestic violence and its seriousness in society.George also issued a second apology, and Vogel said team officials have spoken with George about using social media.Larry talked to him a lot about it and Ive talked to him a little about it, said Vogel, without elaborating.The immediate concern is making sure George gets healthy -- and figuring out how to replace Indianas best all-around player. George averaged 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season, earning his first All-Star start and a first-team selection on the NBAs all-defensive team.While the Pacers did receive a disabled player exemption, it didnt give the Pacers any salary cap relief and Bird has repeatedly said he wont go over the luxury-tax threshold.That means the roster is pretty much set. But Vogel isnt fretting.I think this has been my approach every year, whether youre a front-runner or an underdog, Vogel said. We have everything we need to compete at the highest level. ' ' '