Could Woods' return be earlier than expected?

Question

The fact that Woods "didn't rule out a return this year" suggests any return to golf is a long way off. But could the Tiger be planning on getting back into the swing of things earlier than indicated?

Answer 1

It's possible. Woods' caddie Steve Williams used phrasing in an interview about the golfer that suggested the golfer was nearly done with therapy, saying "As Tiger pointed out in his statement, he has one more visit to the place where he is receiving his counselling. Then I would imagine his focus might change a little bit from then. Hopefully, it will be his final visit to the place he is receiving treatment and then his focus might turn a little back to his professional life, which is playing golf."

According to the Times newspaper, a separate source also indicated Woods could be making a sooner-than-expected comeback, while a report in the Daily Mirror suggests that Woods had initially planned to name a date for his return, but changes were made to his speech at the 11th hour for so far unspecified reasons.