Tiger Woods plans to return next month

Tiger Woods says he hopes to play next month in the PGA's Safeway Open in Napa, California, his first competitive golf since August 2015.

The winner of 14 major tournaments, Woods has been recovering from back surgery and missed all four majors for the first time in his pro career.

Woods made the announcement on his website. The Safeway Open is Oct. 13-16.

He says "my rehabilitation is to the point where I'm comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do. Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go."

Woods also says he hopes to compete in several other events before the end of the year, including the Turkish Open Nov. 3-6.

Nicklaus tweet

Jack Nicklaus tweeted to Woods that "it's great to see you back to see you back and in good health. You've done so much for the game and it's better with you playing."

"He needs to get back out here," U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson said. "The tour needs him, and I want to see him playing well again. He's not going to come back unless he's ready, so I feel like he'll play well. Winning? I don't see it right away. But he's on a different level than anyone else. He'll be prepared."

Rory McIlroy said he knew Woods was close based on a conversation with Woods' agent at the British Open this year. He said the PGA Tour sent out an alert to players on their mobile phones, which McIlroy checked at the end of his pro-am round at the BMW Championship.

"I'm sort of glad I'm not there that week. ... It's going to be a bit of a circus," McIlroy said. "But it's good to see him back and healthy, and it will be exciting to see him back on the course again."