It may be a bit early to start up the PGA talk, but the season has officially begun with the Mercedes-Benz Classic in Hawaii over two weeks ago. This time of year the golfing world is usually rather slows with the biggest names in the sport not picking up action until normally around February. Missing in action at the start of this season is the sport’s biggest name in Tiger Woods. Woods went through season ending surgery after having a torn ACL last June following the U.S Open. Tiger amazingly defeated Rocco Mediate in sudden death in the U.S Open after playing on a knee with a torn ACL and two stress fractures that displayed one of the most heroic accomplishments in sports history. However, since that time little has been said about the greatest golfer on the planet since he has kept quite through his rehabilitation process. After Tiger’s absolutely absurd showing at last year’s U.S Open, America’s number 1 ranked golfer nearly immediately received surgery to repair his severely damaged knee one week after winning his 14th major. Tiger had played many months on what doctors had called a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Doctors also told Tiger two weeks prior to the U.S Open that he had obtained two stress fractures in his left knee and forbid him to play. However, Woods responded with “I am going to play, and I am going to win.” Strong words for a man on one leg, but that is exactly how it happened. Tiger did not go out and dominate the field, but he made two birdies on the 18th hole to force a sudden death and again to tie Rocco Mediate on the 18th hole in sudden death. Woods then won the event on the next hole in a double overtime like performance sealing one of the most memorable wins in the history of golf.

Augusta, GA in early April. The nearest competitor with the closest odds is Phil Mickelson at 10 to 1. If you were like me you might have been hoping for some really good odds with Tiger considering he is coming off a huge knee surgery, but that is not to be.Tiger’s return has the media around the world in a frenzy trying to predict the exact tournament that he will finally step back onto a golf course. Tiger reportedly has said that he is still uncertain what the date of his return will be, but of course there is no way he will miss the Masters in April as he seeks his 15th major and his 5th green jacket. Despite only playing 6 events last year, Tiger had 4 wins and it will be very interesting to see how fast he returns to Tiger status. The Associated Press has marked Tiger’s return to come for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at the end of February. However, that is still a guess to say the least. There are also many other places Tiger could make his return depending on how the recovery process goes. The WGC-CA Championship at Doral in mid-march is another likely scenario considering the tournament is in Tiger’s home state at a course he really likes. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is an event Woods never misses, but may be a bit to close to the Master’s to be his first return.

Despite the date and time Tiger will make his return to golf, one thing that is certain is that the world will be watching. The sport of Golf seemed empty last year without Tiger on the course not to mention a drop in television ratings. When Woods does decide to come back it will be one of the most anticipated moments of the year. Golf will benefit from having Tiger back on course no matter how he plays, because everyone will be watching to see how the knee will hold up and if the time off has affected his game. However, I think we all know that Woods still has a lot left in the tank and I seriously doubt that we have seen the last of the legend that is Tiger.