December 30 is an important day to pop back up and wish Tiger a happy 42nd birthday. His solid showing in the recent Hero Challenge will have made his harshest critics back off a bit, even though he faces an uphill task preparing to come back properly without a swing coach. Butch Harmon is just waiting to be asked back, and says that he strongly believes Tiger will win again. I do too, he is an extraordinary person and athlete.

Tiger announced today that his next competitive outing will be at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines followed by the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles in February. The tournament was his first ever PGA Tour start, aged 16, and is now supported by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

He admitted that during his recent 10 month layoff from the game there were times that his injured back was so painful he couldn’t walk. Not knowing the condition of his back means that he is unable to commit to a full time schedule “I wish I knew when I would play and where it would make it so much easier to prepare. My swing is shorter because I cannot turn as much.

He said he was pleased with how explosive his swing was during the Hero Challenge, also how well he putted, He said it felt good to have an adrenaline rush again “I appreciate competitive golf now more than I ever have”. Player of the Year Justin Thomas who played the last round with Tiger said he had never seen him so happy to be back and to compete so strongly”