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Tiger Woods says the “fire still burns to compete” but he remains sidelined by injury heading into 2025.<\/b><\/p>\n
Woods, a 15-time major-winner, has not played since The Open in July where he failed to make the cut for the third consecutive major.<\/p>\n
While the last few years have seen the American blighted by injuries, the 48-year-old remains focused on a competitive return.<\/p>\n
“I’m not tournament sharp yet, I’m still not there,” said Woods. <\/p>\n
“When I’m ready to compete and play at [the top] level, then I will.<\/p>\n
“The fire still burns to compete. The difference is the recovery of the body to do it is not what it used to be.”<\/p>\n
Woods’ most recent setback has been because of back issues that have spread, causing pain in his legs.<\/p>\n
In September, Woods had back surgery for the sixth time, two months on from his last outing at Royal Troon.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year,” added Woods, speaking at the Hero World Challenge event he hosts in the Bahamas.<\/p>\n
“It was quite painful throughout the end of the year, and hence I had another procedure done to it to alleviate the pain I had going down my leg.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Before the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, it has been suggested that players on the United States’ team could receive money to play in the competition.<\/p>\n
In its 97-year history, players have never received money for playing for their respective teams.<\/p>\n
Woods believes players should each receive a fee of $5,000,000 (\u00a33,900,000), a figure significantly higher than what has been touted. However, he hopes players would opt to give that money to charity.<\/p>\n
“Going back to my playing days we had the same conversation back in 1999,” said Woods.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity, [but] the media turned it round against us and said we wanted to get paid.<\/p>\n
“The Ryder Cup makes so much money, why can’t we allocate it to various charities?<\/p>\n
“I hope they [USA’s players] get five million dollars each and donate it all to different charities. I think that’s great. What’s wrong with that?<\/p>\n
“It’s so hard to get on to that team – there are only 12 guys. What’s wrong with being able to allocate more funds?”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n