Tiger Woods played a practice round on Thursday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, three weeks before the PGA Championship begins there.
After suffering catastrophic leg injuries 14 months ago in a vehicle accident, the 15-time major champion returned to action at the Masters earlier this month. He made the cut, but battled in the final 36 holes, finishing 47th.
Woods’ private plane was sighted at the city’s airport, and both Golf Channel and Golf Digest stated that the 46-year-old was playing 18 holes on the same course where he won the 2007 PGA Championship to test his stamina.
Southern Hills will host next month’s 104th PGA Championship on May 19-22 and Golf Digest reported that Woods plans to play, barring a setback in preparing for the event.
Woods has said he hopes to play in the 150th British Open in July at St. Andrews and a two-day tune-up event in Ireland before that, but has not been firm about other tournaments, including next month’s major in Tulsa and the US Open in June in Boston.
Cary Cozby, the club professional at Southern Hills, was walking the course with Woods, according to Golf Channel.
The move is similar to what Woods did before the Masters, when he arrived at Augusta National for a practice round with son Charlie and friend Justin Thomas. He played at the tournament, with tremendous support from spectators and interest from fans worldwide.
Woods proved his surgically repaired right leg could handle the hills at one of the toughest walks in golf at Augusta, but his work at Southern Hills was expected to focus on sharpening his skills and seeing what changes have been made to the layout since his victory there 15 years ago.
In 2019, the bunkers in Southern Hills were modified and several trees were removed as part of a significant refurbishment. The layout’s only major hills are on the ninth and 18th holes.
In sweltering conditions in 2007, Woods shot a second-round 63 at Southern Hills, matching the then-lowest round in major history at seven-under-par. He went on to win by two shots against US countryman Woody Austin, finishing on eight-under-.
