Hope Is Tiger’s Operative Term In Japan

The early takeaway from Tiger Woods’ return to competition this week with the Japan Skins and his appearance in the inaugural Zozo Championship suggests he’s thinking about playing more golf, not less.

Woods further opened the door to the possibility he will add himself to the playing roster for the U.S. Presidents Cup team he will captain in Australia in December now that he has fully recovered from an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee performed in August.

He also said he wants to qualify for the Olympic Games in Japan next August.

How Woods plays this week in the Zozo Championship will likely factor into whatever decision he makes about adding himself to the Presidents Cup team. He is slated to announce his four captain's picks Nov. 4.

If he plays well, he can quiet the sure-to-come squawking when he picks himself. If he looks rusty – or worse, old – then Tiger may opt to accept standing on the first tee watching every match begin without him. In terms of interest, this Presidents Cup needs Woods to play but that c...