Tiger Woods flew to Oklahoma on Thursday for a practice round at Southern Hills Country Club, the first step in deciding whether he can play in the PGA Championship.
The 18-hole practice round while walking came three weeks before the start of the PGA Championship. The second major championship tournament of the year for men’s golf is May 19-22 at the Tulsa course, which is hosting the PGA of America’s big event for the fifth time.
A person with knowledge of his plans, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because only Woods can authorize such information, confirmed the practice round.
Woods made a remarkable return to golf earlier this month at the Masters, his first real tournament since his Feb. 23, 2021, car crash outside Los Angeles that shattered bones in his right leg and ankle. In his first time competing while walking a course since the injury, he made the cut at Augusta National Golf Club for the 22nd straight time, though he tired on the weekend and his limp was more noticeable in the final two rounds as he shot 78-78. He finished in 47th place out of the 52 players who made the cut.
Golf Channel reported that Southern Hills head pro Cary Cozby caddied for Woods on Thursday. Tulsa TV station KOTV showed an overhead shot of Woods putting while wearing a black sleeve on his right leg.