Dubai: Sergio Garcia has cast doubt over Tiger Woods’ latest return from injury by saying there’s a big question mark over whether his body can cope.
This weekend’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines will be Tiger’s first full-field PGA Tour start since he missed the cut there 12 months ago.
The 42-year-old American went on to only last a round at his next event, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last year, before pulling out with back injury.
He returned to play in the Bahamas last month where he finished tied for ninth in the Hero World Challenge at eight under, before announcing plans to play a full schedule this season.
However, it’s all too familiar for fans of the 14-time Major winner, who went through exactly the same false dawn last year.
“It’s a big question mark to see how he’s going to able to do physically,” said Garcia, speaking on the sidelines of this weekend’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
“I think he looked pretty good at the Hero Challenge but he looked good there the year before, and then, you know, he didn’t last long.
“Hopefully he’s able to get in a bit of rhythm — but probably he doesn’t even know how his back and his body is going to cope, so we’ll see.
“Of course we need him, he’s done so much for the game. If he’s not there, will golf fall apart? I don’t think so. But, like I always say, the more sugar the sweeter. The more big time players we have on tour, the better it is for the game globally.”
Rory McIlroy agreed: “Just having Tiger in the conversation in golf is huge. It’s great for the game. It’s better for the players. It creates more interest. It’s better for the media because there’s more of a buzz about golf and people want to read about it.
“It’s great all round and hopefully his body lets him play a nice, consistent run of events for the next few years and we’ll see where that gets him. He’s hungry to get back out there and play and it will be interesting to see.”
