Former world No.1 and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods announced he hopes to return to the US PGA Tour in October after over a year recuperating from back surgery.
Woods announced via his website on Wednesday he hopes to play in the season opening Safeway Open in Napa, California from October 13-16, his first event since the Wyndham Championship in August 2015.
Woods had a second career microdiscectomy surgery on his back shortly after his last event and has been out of golf since. He had follow up surgery in October 2015, prolonging the recovery.
The now 40-year-old first had the procedure in April 2014 and missed the season's first two majors before returning.
His recovery was much longer the second time around, missing the entire 2016 major season for the first time in his illustrious career.
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Woods also intends on playing in the Turkish Airlines Open in Turkey on November 3-6 before playing in the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge, on December 1-4, at Albany in the Bahamas.
"My rehabilitation is to the point where I'm comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do," Woods said.
"Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.
"I'm looking forward to going to California for my foundation event and Safeway. I'm also excited to return to Turkey and Albany. It could be a fun fall.
"It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn't rush it.
"It was great spending time with my children Sam and Charlie, and also working on a lot of projects including golf-course design, the upcoming 20th anniversary of my foundation and my book about the 1997 Masters.
"But I missed competing. I want to thank all the fans for their kindness and concern. I've been a pro about 20 years, and their support has never waned."
