Tiger Woods announces long-awaited return as golf legend prepares to team up with son Charlie

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Tiger Woods will make his long-awaited return to golf later this month when he teams up with his son Charlie at the PNC Championship.

The 48-year-old, a 15-time major champion, has not played competitive golf since the Open Championship in July. 

He underwent surgery in September - a sixth back operation in 10 years - but Woods and his 15-year-old son will tee it up together in the 36-hole event.

Team Woods have paired up for the 36-hole tournament every year since 2020 and they will again be among the field at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando from December 19 to 22.

It is the fifth time the father-son duo have teamed up, with Woods Sr and Jr enjoying their best finish in 2021, when they came second.

'I’m very excited to head back to the PNC Championship next week with Charlie,' Woods said.

Tiger Woods will make his return to golf later this month when he teams up with his son Charlie

Team Woods will be part of a star-studded field at the PNC Championship in Orlando 

'Playing together is something we look forward to and it’s always more special when you’re surrounded by friends and family.'

Woods underwent microdepression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back, the latest of several back operations he has had during his career.

Team Woods will be joined in the star-studded field by Padraig and Paddy Harrington, Nick and Matthew Faldo, Lee and Daniel Trevin, as well as Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee.

Only last week, Woods sparked concern over his future after opting not to play in the Hero World Challenge.

'I don't. I really don't,' the 15-time major winner admitted when asked if he had a target to return to the course. 

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'I'm just progressively trying to test it, keep making progress without setting it off. I don't want to have any setbacks, just want to keep making progress and give myself the best chance going into next year as possible.

'I feel like I'm getting stronger, I'm getting more pliable, but I've got a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.'

'I'm not tournament sharp yet,' he added. 'I'm still not there. These are 20 of the best players in the world and I'm not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. So when I'm ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.' 

Woods played five tournaments in 2024, finishing 60th in the Masters and missing the cut in the other three majors, after pledging to play one event a month at last year's edition of the Hero World Challenge.