Tiger Woods back on course, return date still uncertain

Tiger Woods is back on the golf course, practicing at Isleworth Country Club near his home in Orlando, according to a news story on his web site, tigerwoods.com.

"As I had hoped, after January 1, I started hitting longer irons and my driver," Woods said Monday. "I'm not swinging as hard as I can, but I'm working towards that goal."

According to the web site, Woods has played a few holes with coach Hank Haney. He has not played competitively since he had ACL surgery on his left knee following his dramatic U.S. Open win at Torrey Pines in California last year.

"So far my knee has held up well, but I don't know when I'll be able to return to competition," he said. "I'd like to thank everyone for their support and concern and I'm looking forward to rejoining the PGA Tour when I think that I'm ready."

A recent Associated Press item suggested Woods would defend his title at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tuscon in late February if his recovery goes according to schedule. Woods has declined to speak publicly about his return date, saying only that his goal is to be healthy for this year’s Masters Tournament in April.

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