Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods have a good relationship. They’ve partnered together when representing the United States in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. They were both vice-captains for last year’s victorious American Ryder Cup team, and Woods will be vice-captain again, this time for Stricker on his Presidents Cup team later this year. So, they talk.
That said, Stricker, who has been texting with Woods of late, doesn’t seem all that high on where Woods is in terms of coming back to competitive golf anytime soon.
“He’s working hard at it, but I don’t think he’s doing that well right now physically,” Stricker said, according to Golf Channel.
Stricker hasn’t seen Woods personally. Then again, no one has seen Woods compete since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic in February after a birdie-free opening 77.
“Just the way he was walking didn’t quite look right. He was walking really gingerly,” Stricker said of watching that round in the United Arab Emirates. “It didn’t really look physically like he was ready to play.”
Woods traveled to the Genesis Open in Los Angeles, even after withdrawing from competing in the event, to conduct some duties as new tournament host. However, Woods twice canceled a news conference, likely knowing the questions would predominantly be about his back and also under advice from doctors to limit physical activity and remain “horizontal.”
Woods’ future is unclear. He typically plays in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, which he has won seven times, and the commitment deadline is Friday. As for the Masters in April, Woods merely has to show up before his tee time on Thursday and play. Stricker seemed to hint those short-term prospects are weak at best.
“Obviously he has to get his body right first before he can compete,” Stricker said. “Then it’s going to take some time I think for him to come back believing in his swing and trusting in his ability again.”
Stricker on U.S. Presidents Cup team:
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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