Gary Player makes Tiger Woods demand as PGA Tour star edges closer to return

The Nedbank Golf Challenge is an event close to Gary Player’s heart and the nine-time major would love to see another Tiger Woods legend return to Africa and the majors.

Gary Player asked Tiger Woods to return to South Africa and compete in the Nedbank Golf Challenge, known in the sport as and#039;Africaand#039;s majorand#039;.
The event is close to the player’s heart and is held at Sun City Country Club, named after the nine-time champion. The 88-year-old competed in the inaugural DP World Tour event in 1981, where only five players competed in the event.
The DP World Tour announced earlier this year that amid its long-standing association with the South African tournament, the Needbank Golf Challenge will officially be held in Player’s honor from 2024.
The 2023 edition is currently being played at the Sun City and on Thursday and during the opening round, Ludanto sat down in the Sky Sports commentary box to give his thoughts on the proceedings. In his commentary segment, the South African turned the conversation to Woods, arguably #039 the best player in golf.
andquot;We and#039;ve got to get Tiger Woods back here somehow,andquot; The player said during the show. andquot;[His presence] would take this tournament to another level. We have to pay tribute to his son, who is a great young golfer named after Charlie Sifford. andquot;

Woods has not played in the event since 1998, before the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Tournament. The top-ranked American marked almost his only appearance with a win, defeating Zimbabwe’s Nick Price in a dramatic five-hole final. The future of the 15-time champion has been up in the air for the past two years following injury problems following a February 2021 car accident in Los Angeles. His last setback came this year and at the #039 Championship in April, where he had to withdraw in the third round due to an ankle problem.
Woods underwent surgery on the injury in the following days at Augusta and has since recovered. The 15-time major winner has been photographed on the golf course several times in recent weeks, sparking speculation that a return to the PGA Tour could be around the corner.
Amid the rumours, Woods broke his silence earlier this week and announced that he is recovering from his ankle injury but still has problems inside his right leg. andquot;My ankle is fine,” he admitted.-Where they fused my ankle, I have no problems.
andquot;That pain is completely gone. These are other areas that have been replaced. But all the surrounding areas are where I had and still have all my problems. You fix one, the others have to go hypermobile to get around it, and that can cause problems.

In his absence from the competition, Woods prepared to launch TGL, America and Rory McIlroy’s innovative golf league. The stadium-based course opens in less than two months, and Woods has announced he is part of the Jupiter Links team and confirmed he will compete in January, albeit on a simulator.
andquot;With its technology, TGL is a modern twist on traditional golf and makes the sport I love more accessible,” said the 47-year-old.