Woods stepping up preparations for return

Tiger Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg says his client is starting to up the ante ahead of his competitive return.

Woods has endured a torrid time over the past couple of season due to injury and many doubted whether he would ever be able to play golf at the highest level again.

The 14-time major winner was supposed to return to action at the Safeway Open last month but withdrew before the tournament because his game wasn’t in the right place.

However, the former world number one then revealed he would be appearing at the Hero World Golf Challenge in a couple weeks’ time and the comeback date is edging closer.

The American’s involvement is expected to attract a bumper crowd for the unofficial PGA Tour money event which would mark the end of a 15-month competitive absence.

Steinberg says his client has been putting the extra hours in recently to ensure he is at his peak.

Speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, he said: “[He’s] getting after it a bit more, continuing to work towards that goal and excited to get back out there and compete, see the guys and be in the locker room instead of being an assistant (Ryder Cup) captain.

“The determination is still there. We’ve still got two weeks to go, but he is doing the things necessary to get himself as ready as he can be, but it’s going to be 15 months since the last time he played competitively.”

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