NEWS » the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will ap

NASSAU, Bahamas -- This might be one time that Tiger Woods doesnt measure success on the golf course by the score on his card.He measured it with three words Tuesday: Im playing again.There were times during his 15 months away from golf that Woods wasnt entirely sure that would be the case. He said that when he was at the Hero World Challenge last year, he needed help just to climb out of bed. At an outdoor party at Albany Golf Club, he would mingle for a few minutes and then sit on a stone bench.He spent more time looking back than looking forward, saying at one point that anything else he achieved in golf would be gravy.And now he cant wait to get started on Thursday.The 15-month break to heal following back surgeries is the longest he has been away from golf. Woods was a mixture of optimism and reality about his return. He talked about having all the shots he needs to compete against a field that includes 17 players from the top 40 and Woods, the tournament host who is at a career-low No. 898. He is playing, so he said he wants to win. The outlook is no different.He also noted that Bubba Watson won last year at 25-under par, and it probably will take something around that to win.I know thats a tall order since Ive been away from the game for so long and Ive made a lot of different changes in my game, he said. Physically and also equipment, practice schedules, training, all that has evolved. The mindset of competing hasnt. That is to go out there and try to beat these guys.He still is working with swing coach Chris Como, whom he brought on two years ago. Now that Nike is out of the equipment business, Woods is using a TaylorMade driver and fairway metals, a Bridgestone golf ball and his old Scotty Cameron putter that he used to win all but one of his 14 majors.But it starts with playing.Put it this way: Its a lot better situation this year than last, Woods said. I just couldnt get out of bed. I needed help. It was a tough, tough time. You asked me then, `Could I play? No. I cant even get out of bed. How am I supposed to swing a club at 120 miles an hour? Thats just two different worlds.The Hero World Challenge, which he started in 1999 to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation, is effectively a holiday tournament for golfs elite that has no cut and pays $1 million to the winner. It feels so much bigger this year because of Woods.Over the last year, he played five holes to open his new golf course, Bluejack National, outside Houston. And he took three swings with a wedge on the par-3 10th hole at Congressional during a day to promote the Quicken Loans National. All three went in the water.Everyone is curious to see how he plays. That includes Woods.His biggest concern is how far his shots will go because he hasnt played with any adrenaline since the final round of the Wyndham Championship on Aug. 23, 2015. He doesnt know how his game will stack up against players he watched at Hazeltine when he was an assistant captain at the Ryder Cup.His previous long break from golf was eight months when he had reconstructive surgery on his left knee after winning the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, the last of his 14 major titles. He won his opening match in the Match Play Championship and won two tournaments later at Bay Hill.That was a knee. This is a back.He was 33, not a month away from turning 41. And that was long before any chaos in his personal life.Asked what he would expect to feel Thursday at Albany Golf Club, Woods said, Ill let you know then, because I dont know right now.Yeah, theres nerves, of course, because I care. I care about what I do out there, he said. I want to win, and I want to place the ball in the correct spots, give myself the best angles and bury these putts. Trying to figure that out, yeah, theres nerves.Woods often talks about the process when hes changing his swing. This was a different kind of process. It starts with hitting golf balls at home, then playing a practice round at home, and then bringing that game out to a tournament, competing and eventually getting into contention.Right now, I havent even competed yet, so Im at the beginning stages of that, he said.Jack Nicklaus spoke Tuesday morning at the HSBC Business Forum in Florida and talked about how golf wasnt nearly as important to him as competing. Thats something to which Woods can relate. What he said he missed was the competition, whether on tour or at home with friends.But the bigger the stage, Woods said, the more fun for me. Joe Smith Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Grant Long Pistons Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. https://www.pistonsrookiesshop.com/Rick-Mahorn-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Stanley Johnson Pistons Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Deividas Sirvydis Pistons Jersey .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. The United States womens soccer team arrived in Brazil this week ahead of the Olympics, and it seems the players have already settled in quite nicely to their temporary home.Hope Solo took to Twitter on Friday to rave about the accommodations, food and people, and even pointed out just how comfortable Carli Lloyd already is in her hotel room.Solo shared a photo of her teammate and loongtime pal lounging in bed, with a poster of Solo above her.dddddddddddd. Its pretty hilarious.Teamwork makes the dream work, right?See something entertaining on social media that you think deserves to be shared? Let me know on Twitter, @darcymaine_espn. ' ' '