American professional golfer Tiger Woods said Wednesday he plans to return to competitive golf at the Safeway Open in mid-October, his first time playing in over a year.
"My rehabilitation is to the point where I'm comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do," Woods said in a press release. "Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go."
Woods last played in a tournament at the Wyndham Championship in 2015. In September, he had a second microdiscectomy surgery and then announced in October he would need a procedure on his back.
Woods said he spent time doing other activities such as spending time with his family and working in golf-course design.
"It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn't rush it," Woods said.
He said he also intends to play at the Turkish Airlines Open in November and the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge in December. He will also participate in an invitational in October.