Woods listed as PGA Championship starter

The PGA of America has released the official field list for next week’s PGA Championship and it’s good news for Tiger fans with the four-time champion listed as a starter alongside long-time foe, Phil Mickelson.

Rumours of Woods’ attendance at the scene of his last PGA Championship win at Southern Hills in 2007 began circulating following his surprise attendance at the US Masters in April where he made the cut and finished in a share of 47th.

Tiger Woods (Credit: PGA Tour)

In a post-round interview, the 46-year-old made it clear that if he remained fit, he would consider playing future majors including the PGA Championship and the 150th staging of the Open Championship in July at St Andrews where he has won twice (2000, 2005).

The buzz around his major return intensified with reports of Woods’ practice round at Southern Hills in late April. Head pro, Cary Cozby, was on the bag that day and indicated that Tiger had no issues playing the course.

“Everything is so smooth with him now. His rhythm is great, he hit it straight and plenty far, he pitched and putted it great. I know guys can hit it past him now, but watching him work was amazing. He’s so meticulous, detailed and immersed in what he’s doing. He was very inquisitive on lines and the best angles,” Cozby told reporters for Golf Oklahoma.

Woods’ appearance will mark his 22nd at the PGA Championship where he has missed just four cuts and finished inside the top-5 eight times including four wins.

Woods will be joined by a stellar Australian field including Cam Davis, 2015 champion Jason Day, Lucas Herbert, Matt Jones, Min Woo Lee, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith.