Tiger Woods set to play in PGA Championship

By DOUG FERGUSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

10 years ago

Tiger Woods stands on the first tee during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the second hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods hits out of the bunker on the seventh hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods hits a chip on the sixth hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the second hole as Steve Stricker looks on during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Barely able to tie his shoes three days ago, Tiger Woods is ready to tee it up in the PGA Championship.

Woods finally arrived at Valhalla on Wednesday, leaving him enough time to play nine holes on a golf course he has not seen since he won the PGA Championship 14 years ago. He says the back injury that caused him to withdraw Sunday at the Bridgestone Invitational was not related to the pain that required surgery on March 31.

He says his trainer was able to fix the problem, and once he felt he had full range of motion, he was ready to tackle the final major of the year.

Woods easily slipped into golf shoes, and he played nine holes with Davis Love III, Steve Stricker and Harris English without showing a trace of pain. Barring a victory, this likely will be his last tournament for at least six weeks.