Join us » t happened down there and my role chang

There will 18 players teeing it up on Thursday for the $3.5 million in purse money offered at the no-cut Hero World Challenge at the Albany resort in New Providence in the Bahamas.Golf enthusiasts, however, likely will be focused on just one player: Tiger Woods.That intense focus and scrutiny is nothing new for Woods, but the circumstances this time around make this weekends work on the course unique. It will mark Woods first time to play an official competitive round since August 2015 after he took an extended sabbatical from the tour to rehab and recuperate from back surgery.In the interim, the 79-time winner on the PGA Tour and arguably the greatest player in the sport dropped to 898th in the world rankings. Woods also had to change equipment companies when Nike ended its manufacture of clubs and balls and rebuild his swing (again) to take less pressure off his back.Historically when Woods plays, interest in golf as a whole and participation in the sport increases exponentially. But there are so many questions about Woods and his future that cant even be addressed until he tests his game in real competition over a four-day stretch.As the week goes on, I can give you more detailed answers on where Im at and the feel that I have, but as of right now Im still at the beginning stages of that process, Woods said during a press conference Tuesday.Its nice being back out here. What most people dont really understand is how much of a fraternity this tour really is. The amount of dinners Ive gone out to with the guys, the texts, the phone calls over the last 14, 15, 16 months -- the guys wanted me to come back out here and play or help in any way possible.Woods, who will turn 41 on Dec. 30, had planned to return from his hiatus last month at the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif., but withdrew on Monday of tournament week when he thought his game was not fit enough to compete.Woods said the injury to his back and the issues hes dealt with in his rehab were much scarier than the other physical setbacks hes endured in his career.There was a lot of trepidation and times where I did think of (retirement) because it was realistic, Woods said. Not being able to get out of bed, not being able to move, how can I expect to come out here and swing a golf club at 120 miles an hour when I cant even get out of bed?When I had my knee redone and it was completely blown, I knew it was nine months, but I knew I could come back from it -- its not nerve damage. But when youre dealing with a spine, when youre dealing with nerves, its a totally different deal.As much as his peers are happy to have Woods back in the fold, dont expect them to stand aside and let him roll to a win. Its a dog-eat-dog world out here, just the way Woods likes it.I feel bad for him in a way -- the expectations are so high, PGA Tour player Jim Furyk said. The rest of us can kind of slip out maybe under the radar. Every pitch shot, every putt, every 3-footer is not under public scrutiny like it is with him.He will have his work cut out for him against the likes of defending champion Bubba Watson, Olympic gold medalist Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Jordan Spieth, the 2016 U.S. Open winner in Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.My expectations, Watson said, are that its Tiger Woods. We expect him to win again.Woods, the host this week, has captured this event five times in its 16 years of existence. He will tee it up Thursday with the notion that he can do it again.I havent played in a while, but hey, Im going to give it my best, Woods said. Im going to be focused, Im going to do what I can do and put the ball in the correct spots, give myself looks and try to bury these putts, post scores, and get myself in that mix come Sunday afternoon. Im entered in an event; Im going to try to win this thing.As for after this tournament? First things first, Woods reminded everyone on Tuesday.I want to do this as long as I can, as long as the body will allow me to, he said. As far as how much golf Im going to play, I dont know because I dont know what my backs going to be doing. Would I like to play a full schedule every year for the next decade plus? Yeah, I would, that would be great. Can I? I dont know. Well see. Im going to do everything I can. Yankees Jerseys 2019 .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Babe Ruth Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. https://www.cheapyankees.com/991g-joe-girardi-jersey-yankees.html . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. David Hale Yankees Jersey . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. DJ LeMahieu Yankees Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. HOUSTON -- At some point you have to leave. Too many losses, too many injuries and too much turmoil eventually wear a player down.Eric Gordon had reached that point after five seasons in New Orleans, where countless injuries and the inability to keep a team together yielded only one playoff appearance during Gordons time with the team.When the 27-year-old Gordon became an unrestricted free agent this past summer, he sought a new challenge in a place where he could fit in and contribute.When his teammate in New Orleans, Ryan Anderson, decided to sign a free-agent contract with the Houston Rockets, Gordon saw the potential. Playing with James Harden?in a wide-open offensive system run by Mike DAntoni -- for a franchise with a much better tradition than New Orleans -- appealed to him.After starting for the majority of his time in New Orleans, Gordon signed a four-year, $53 million deal to come off the bench for the Rockets.In 18 of 26 games off the bench, Gordon has emerged as a leading early-season candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Hes second in bench scoring at 17.6 points per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and making 46.4 percent of his 3-point shots (higher marks than hed posted as a starter in Houston). Gordon has made at least three 3-pointers in the past 11 games, tied for the fifth-longest streak in league history.When the Pelicans visit the Rockets on Friday night, theyll see a healthy and happy Gordon on the floor.It was definitely time for me to leave, Gordon said. Coming here in coach DAntonis system and Ive been familiar with a lot of the guys that are here. I just thought it was going to be good for me -- a good organization, a good training staff. I just thought they had the whole package for me and all I had to do is just play and not worry about injuries and put that stuff in the past and just revive myself.Gordon was part of the 2011 blockbuster deal that sent Chris Paul to the LA Clippers and Gordon to the Pelicans. Hopes were high, but Gordon missed 115 games in his first three seasonss with various injuries.dddddddddddd In July 2012, as a restricted free agent, he signed a four-year, $58 million offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns, hoping to escape. The Pelicans pulled him back in by matching it. Gordon stuck with it, but wins were lacking and injuries mounting.When I look back on it, the only guys thats been there is Anthony Davis, and since me and Ryan left, theres been a lot of transition, a lot of guys in and out, Gordon said. So whats the stability there? Im not really worried about whats going on down there, but I just know what happened down there and my role changed year by year. So we really had only one good year (2014-15). Its been tough -- it was a roller coaster there.When it came time for Gordon to seek a new home, he lost weight and rededicated himself to the cause while looking for a place that fit his skill set.Gordon can beat defenders off the dribble, shoot with confidence from 3-point range and defend. All of which is perfect for DAntoni.I think hes confident, he physically feels better, DAntoni said. He lost some weight this summer, he really got himself in shape [and] hes been injury-free, knock on wood, has been rededicated in the weight room and the training room and I think he feels that. And once you feel good, you become more confident. The offense is tailor-made to him and playing with James is tailor-made for him, and I think there are a lot of good things going on and hes taking advantage of it.When Gordon is on the floor, the Rockets offensive rating is 112.3 with an effective field-goal percentage of 54.4 percent.Those close to Gordon say he is more relaxed and confident.Hes happy, hes playing at a super-high level and really being used to the best of his ability, Anderson said. Hes such a great, talented guy -- hes an All-star, in my opinion. Its really good to see him in his element playing at the peak of his game. I know that hes happy. ' ' '