Tiger Woods says he’s “pain-free” as he prepares for his first PGA Tour event of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational, which begins Thursday.
But the 15-time major champion added that he was still adjusting after the ankle surgery he underwent in April 2023.
Woods’ schedule has been limited since injuring his leg in a car accident in 2021 and last playing in December.
“My ankle no longer hurts, the bones no longer rub,” the 48-year-old said.
“But again, it’s different: other parts of my body have to take the brunt of it, just like my back is fused and so other parts of my body have taken the brunt of it,” Woods added , who expects to play in one event per month this year.
“I have two different body parts that are now fused together. Other body parts have to adapt.”
Woods withdrew from the Masters in April 2023 before making his return to competition at the Hero World Challenge in December, but says he still has ambitions to play as long as possible.
“I still love to compete, I love to play, I love to be a part of golf,” he said.
“It’s the game of my life and I never want to stop playing.”
Woods’ last PGA Tour victory came at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan, which saw him tie Sam Snead’s record of 82 Tour wins.