May 20, 2014
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
Photos: Sam Johnson/Wendy Thompson/DC Spotlight Newspaper
“I think he can be great. He has plenty of power and confidence. I’m a big believer of what he can do. He’s only 20; give him time.”
— Tiger Woods, describing Jordan Spieth
Almost seven weeks after his knee surgery and a month before his annual golf tournament — the Quicken Loans National (previously sponsored by AT&T) — Tiger Woods addressed the media at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. He was on hand to not only speak about the upcoming tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, but to honor the most recent recipient of the Earl Woods Scholarship, James Green.
Green is a rising sophomore at George Mason University, studying Criminology and Homeland Security. During his acceptance speech, the young man spoke poignantly about his personal experience of being separated from his biological father, a drug addict, at a young age, and how he was nurtured and came to find a true dad in his step-father, a marine he called “my hero.” The scholarship offers tuition and other financial assistance to college students, specifically recruiting military children into the program. “I feel as if I have a second family,” Green said of his experience with the foundation. “It’s 
more than a scholarship to me.”
Though only 19 years old, Green’s accomplishments thus far were impressive and included serving as National Honor Society president, as well as a JROTC Honor Cadet. He credited the scholarship with assisting in much of his success. “I can’t say where I’d have been without the scholarship, but I can say I wouldn’t have been as successful in my first year of college without it.”
Woods congratulated Green on the scholarship, which is supported by the tournament. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s done wonders for people who are under the poverty line, or kids who aren’t getting a chance in life….it gives them a chance.” When asked what makes him most proud about the scholarship winners, Woods said it was confidence. “Hearing them feel that confidence in themselves. See it come out, when it’s been hibernating or beaten down. People like James are 
special—just have to give them a chance.”
After the scholarship presentation, Woods took questions from the media, many centered on his rehab, and when he expected to return to the golf course.
“It’s certainly debilitating initially — sore, pain,” Woods said of his time post-surgery. “Those are all things that do go away over time. This has been a different procedure than I’ve had in the past. Certainly a lot more tedious, with the workouts and the little things you have to do, little minute things you have to do on a daily basis.”
He reiterated that there is no timetable for his return, but that he still loves the game and would love to return as soon as possible. “The realization to all this is there is no date, just take it on a daily basis, and it’s not up to me whether I play or not, it’s up to my docs,” Woods said. “I’d like to play now, today. I miss playing. Forget competing at the highest level—I just miss being on the golf course.”
When asked if he had any doubts about his future performance because of his surgery, he said, “I couldn’t function before. The time right before the surgery I couldn’t even function—I couldn’t get out of bed. So yeah, I was certainly doubtful at that point. What was it going to feel like; am I going to be pain free; am I going to actually be able to do this again?” He said he didn’t know if he would be able to play with kids again, or play golf anymore, but after the surgery he said he felt “immediate relief.”
Despite feeling better, he still cannot take full swings and may not be able to play in his own tournament at Congressional, which is approaching quickly. “I’d love to play, but I just don’t know,” the golfer said. “I’m taking it day to day, step by step.”
The press conference was unknowingly held the same day Woods was surpassed by Adam Scott for the No. 1 spot in the official world golf ranking. Some of the final questions asked by the press focused on the future of golf, asking Woods to comment on up-and-comer Jordan Spieth, while also questioning if he worried that he was past his prime.
“I think he can be great. He has plenty of power and confidence,” Woods said of Spieth. “I’m a big believer of what he can do. He’s only 20; give him time.”
Regarding whether or not he was worried that he could no longer play at the level he used to, dominating the field, Woods remained optimistic. “I would love to be out there, and competing and playing,” Woods said. “I would like to, as all athletes, go out on my own terms. Ultimately, I’d like to continue playing at the elite level for as long as I deem I want to do it. Prior to the surgery, I didn’t think I’d have much of a playing career if I felt like this. But now that I’ve had the procedure, I’m excited about what the prospects hold, that I’m able to feel this way. And if that’s the case–I’m excited about my career.”
It is clear Woods is still rehabilitating, and not close to being competitive at this point in time. But the once No. 1 champion remains optimistic that he can regain not only his mobility, but his dominance as well. “The more time you’ll give me, the better I’ll be,” he said.
Though Woods may have fallen in the rankings, and may not return to professional golf for many more months, he has proven over the years that even against the odds, he will never count himself out. And in a crowded room on a sunny day in Maryland, Woods showed that even without the top ranking, or a recent PGA Tour win, he is still an important leader in the golf community.
