*Image credit: Molly A. Burgess; Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons 

Tiger Woods spoke to the media for the first time today after under going his third back operation back in September. It was media day at Tigers’ golf tournament the Hero World Challenge which supports his foundation.

Sitting up on the media stage, the former number one golfer in the world looked healthy, strong, and confident. On the inside I’m sure that was a different story as you could sense frustration mixed in with a little pain and anxiety as he chatted with journalists. To no one’s surprise he was grilled by the media about his return to professional golf. Some asked about when he would get back into action, while others tried to dig deeper and get him to talk about the possibility of walking away from the competitive side all together.

Tiger, who didn’t give the media journalists a lot to work with in regards to answers did make it known that he had no time line for a return to competitive golf. According to Tiger, the biggest priority at this moment is to heal and progress from strictly walking to running and playing soccer with his kids. Right, the only form of physical activity Woods can do is walk…Although he did mention that he has been playing a lot of video games but I’m sure that doesn’t count.

One reporter asked if he would feel satisfied with his career if he never hit another competitive golf shot again, with Tiger responding by saying “I think pretty much everything beyond this will be gravy, for my 20 years out here I think I’ve achieved a lot, and if that’s all it entails, then I’ve had a pretty good run. But I’m hoping that’s not it.”

As a fan I want to see T-Dub make a comeback because there is something inside of me that wants him to get back to where he was in his prime. I would also like to see him dethrone Jack Nicklaus from the most major win category, as well as surpass Sam Snead on the all time wins list. Every every operation that Tiger goes through, the less I lose confidence in his playing ability.

As much as I don’t want to say it, all of the hopes I mentioned above that I want to see from Tiger are too far removed at this stage of his career. Even assuming Tiger gets healthy enough to get back into the swing of things (no pun intended) he just isn’t the player he once was. There still is the possibility of him getting another “W’ or two, but as far as another major…time will tell.