Friday 22 September 2017 21:31, UK
Tiger Woods has given an upbeat bulletin on his fitness as he continues his recovery from his latest back operation.
The former world No 1 revealed he is making good progress after undergoing surgery in April, although he is yet to set a date for his return to competitive action.
Woods has not played since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in early February, but has been cleared to resume short-game practice.
"As I wrote earlier this summer, I had a few matters to work on with my doctors and I did that," wrote Woods in a blog on his website.
"I'm feeling good, strong and doing really well. About my most recent surgery, it's nice not to live in pain any more. I'm sleeping better because I don't have any nerve pain going down my leg. It makes a world of difference.
"I'm starting to hit the ball a little further - 60-yard shots. I have not taken a full swing since my back fusion surgery last April, but continue to chip and putt every day.
"The latter is paying off. Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler have been dropping by my house for putting contests. Justin also comes over to practice his chipping. It was fun to celebrate his PGA Championship win with him and Rickie, and we had a blast."
The 41-year-old will be an assistant captain for the United States in next week's Presidents Cup, but will take medical advice before pencilling a playing-return date.
"I have my six-month back X-rays coming up. Once my surgeon takes a look, he'll give me the parameters of what I can do moving forward," added Woods.
"I'm working out six days a week, alternating between the treadmill, bike riding, swimming and lifting twice a day. My muscle tone is coming back, but I'm not in golf shape yet. That's going to take time.
"Playing wise, I'm not looking ahead yet because I don't know what kind of swing I'm going to use. I just don't know what my body is going to allow me to do. Until I do, I'm going to listen to my doctors and continue to take it slowly."
Woods is expecting a busy week when the United States take on the International team in the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.
"I am fired up for the Presidents Cup next week," he wrote. "It will be great to be around the guys and try to help our team any way I can to win.
"I had a blast doing it last year at the Ryder Cup and we have another great captain in Steve Stricker. We tried to keep the band together with Jim Furyk, Davis Love III and myself, and added Fred Couples, to maintain consistency and unity.
"We have a young team and quite a few first-timers. But they're solid guys and have played well all year. My biggest responsibility is to do whatever the captain asks me to do.
"My biggest takeaway from the Ryder Cup last year was that as a player, it's very simple: all you have to do is get ready to play fourball and foursomes, and know who you might play with. That's it.
"As an assistant captain, you're in charge of the wives, girlfriends, families, caddies and individuals that support the golfers. It's a lot more organisational work than I was used to as a player."
