LaCava discussed where he believes Woods, who will turn 47 in December, might be able to tee it up before the first major of the year earlier this week during an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show."
Most likely, the first appearance will be at the Hero World Challenge, which is set for December 1–4. Woods returned from injury in 2016 and 2017 at the Bahamas limited-field exhibition.
The PNC Championship, a parent-child event in Orlando that Woods has played the past two years with their son, occurs later that month, from Dec. 15–18.
LaCava said that he hoped Woods would participate in the 2023 Genesis Invitational, one of the top regular-season events on the PGA Tour's schedule and a tournament that benefits Woods' foundation, which will take place from February 16–19. The Players Championship, which runs from March 9 to 12, is another option and would give Woods one last practice run before Augusta.
LaCava told Patrick, "I'm still hopeful he'll play three, maybe four tournaments before the Masters."
In the upcoming months, LaCava said he "won't do much," but he'll offer to visit Woods in South Florida if he needs to practice, get ready, or ramp up for any competitive appearances.
"I'll say to Tiger, 'If you're starting to feel better, maybe October, November, maybe let's hang out,'" I'll do the same thing. We are not required to play daily. We are not required to practice daily. I'll merely be present to give you some encouragement," he remarked.
He claimed to have "nothing scheduled" for the immediate future after failing to cut the 150th Open last week.
All three of Woods' outings this year have been at major tournaments. Despite having only 14 months since a terrible vehicle accident in which he claimed his right leg came close to being amputated, he tied for 47th at the Masters. He made the cut at the PGA Championship, but he withdrew before the final round.
When he started last week's Open with a 78, Woods equaled his best-ever opening round performance. In what would have been his final competitive round at the Old Course, he shot 75 in the second round.
LaCava said to Patrick, "It's one of those instances where we never got anything going the first day." It wasn't that he played terribly; instead, his short game and putting didn't seem quite there.
"I believe he is striving hard to become more robust and healthy. He's working on his long game and endurance, but I feel he's been neglecting the short game a little late, and it showed over there.
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