Former world No 1 Jason Day believes Tiger Woods is not under any pressure as the American prepares to play for the first time in 10 months at next week’s Hero World Challenge.
Woods is once again preparing to return to competitive golf, and Day believes the non-cut, small field event is the perfect fit for the 41-year-old former world No 1.
‘I did talk to him and he did say it’s the best he’s ever felt in three years, he doesn’t wake up with pain anymore, which is great,’ Day said on Wednesday ahead of the Australian Open.
‘I totally understand where he’s coming from, because sometimes I wake up and it takes me about 10 minutes to get out of bed. For him to be in pain for three years is very frustrating.’
Woods underwent his fourth back surgery in three years after withdrawing from the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic in January, which was on the back of a missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open the previous week.
This is the second comeback at his own event, where he finished 15th last year after 18 months on the sidelines, but the Australian feels the 14-time Major champion will not tee it up under any pressure.
‘With regards to him playing next week, there’s no pressure,’ Day added.
‘It’s an 18-man field, there’s no cut … it’s obviously a tournament that suits him, that he likes.
‘He says he’s ready and I’m hoping he is. From what he says, he’s been hitting it long, and if he is hitting it long and straight, it’s going to be tough for us.’
2017 Hero World Challenge field:
Dustin Johnson, USA
Jordan Spieth, USA
Hideki Matsuyama, Japan
Justin Thomas, USA
Jason Day, Australia
Rickie Fowler, USA
Brooks Koepka, USA
Matt Kuchar, USA
Justin Rose, England
Alex Noren, Sweden
Marc Leishman, Australia
Tommy Fleetwood, England
Francesco Molinari, Italy
Patrick Reed, USA
Charley Hoffman, USA
Kevin Kisner, USA
Tiger Woods, USA
Daniel Berger, USA
