Quotes of the Week: Tiger hasn’t ‘felt this good in years’

Published May 28, 2017 05:15 PM

Tiger Woods offers an update on his surgically fused back in this edition of Quotes of the Week.

“It is hard to express how much better I feel. It was instant nerve relief. I haven’t felt this good in years.” – on his recovery anterior lumbar interbody fusion

“I could no longer live with the pain I had. We tried every possible non-surgical route, and nothing worked. I had good days and bad days, but the pain was usually there, and I couldn’t do much. Even lying down hurt. I had nerve pain with anything I did and was at the end of my rope.”

“As for returning to competitive golf, the long-term prognosis is positive. My surgeon and physiotherapist say the operation was successful. It’s just a matter of not screwing it up and letting it fuse. But, I want to say unequivocally, I want to play professional golf again.”

“All focus is on getting back to full health for the U.S. Open.” – on his client’s withdrawal for The Memorial

“He [caddie Michael Greller] didn’t tell me at all until we were walking down the 11th and he said, ‘Hey, this is my last hole.’ I was kind of surprised. … He was running off to restrooms every time he saw one. I think it was just to get in the shade or pour water over himself or whatever it was.” – on Michael Greller’s battle with heat exhaustion Saturday

“It was tough out there because it was so hot. Legs getting Jello-y. Real loose. I had a little lapse in concentration for a few holes, just a dizziness where anybody would have where you’re just kind of not fully there.” – on the Texas heat at Colonial

“It was ridiculous. If you twist your feet enough, you’re bound to eventually reach the bunker lining. That means anytime a player wants relief from a poor lie he can simply twist his feet until he reaches the bunker lining. That can’t be right.” – taking issue with Grace’s receiving of a free drop after Grace’s feet buried far enough in a bunker to reach the rubber lining beneath the sand

“A rule is a rule, and I took advantage of the rule there, and it helped knowing the rule in some respects. Fortunately for me, I got away with a good drop but I still made bogey. I can understand if some people criticize you for standing in the middle of the bunker and going too deep, but if you’re standing on the upslope it’s not always easy getting a stance.” – defending his free relief

“I just felt uncomfortable by the way the ball came out. The ball came out way too good, so I felt I didn’t quite probably put it (back) exactly where I should have. … Under the rules you try and put it back the way you think it should be, but I still felt uncomfortable with it, so we took a two-shot penalty. I know deep down the ball wasn’t quite where it should be and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” – on his decision to assess himself a two-shot penalty at the BMW PGA