Tiger's surgery comeback might be his major victory this year

by Jim SLATER

GOLF: CHASKA, Minnesota, Aug 8, 2009:- Tiger Woods must win the 91st PGA Championship to avoid going without a major title for the first year since 2004 but sees his comeback from knee surgery as a major triumph of a different sort.

World number one Woods will be among the favorites next week for the year's final major championship at Hazeltine after a season that has seen him win four titles following an eight-month layoff for reconstructive left knee surgery.

"This year I think just being able to come back and play and be successful again has been a tremendous step in the right direction," Woods said. "To win, and not only win but be as consistent as I've been the entire year coming back, that's one of the things I'm probably the most proud of."

Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus, made his return in February's World Golf Championships Match-Play Championship and has shocked even himself at how well he has done in his comeback campaign.

"If you would have asked me at the beginning of the year before I even played whether I would have four wins by now, I couldn't see it, because walking 18 holes was going to be a task," Woods said.

AFP