Many wondered if Woods would ever play golf again in any capacity following his devastating car accident in February, but the 15-time major champion has answered that question and then some with his return to competitive play at the upcoming PNC Championship. The father/son event has been a staple for PGA Tour and Champion Tour professionals and their sons since its inaugural playing in 1995, with Tiger and Charlie making their debut last year, finishing T-7.

A year ago, it was Charlie who garnered much of social media’s attention, hitting supernatural approach shots, and draining improbable putts that elicited fist pumps reminiscent of his dad. But rest assured, the spotlight this year will be directed back on Tiger as the golf world eagerly awaits to witness its greatest attraction make yet another tournament start.

After much speculation about a potential return date, Woods officially announced his comeback via Twitter on Wednesday. “Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the @PNCchampionship with my son Charlie. I’m playing as a Dad and couldn’t be more excited and proud,” wrote Woods. Just over a week ago, Tiger held his first press conference since his accident in preparation for the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, a tournament he hosts annually. Since then, Tiger was spotted on the range hitting balls and making full swings with the driver, which only furthered the intrigue surrounding his return action.

Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the @PNCchampionship with my son Charlie. I’m playing as a Dad and couldn’t be more excited and proud.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) December 8, 2021

Though few are surprised by the news, there’s still questions of whether Woods can return to regular tournament play on the PGA Tour, something he discounted when speaking at his Hero World Challenge event in Bahamas last week. Woods suggested he would not likely return with any regularity to tour life because of the ramifications of his car accident in California in February. Woods, who was recovering from his fifth back surgery at the time, suffered multiple injuries in the single-car accident, including a compound fracture of his right leg.

And let’s face it, there isn’t a golf tournament on Earth better suited for Woods to make his return to televised play. The loose, casual nature of the 36-hole scramble that is the PNC Championship will be more “hit and giggle,” to borrow Tiger’s words, than an actual professional golf event. And yes, driving carts are permitted, so it is not as though Tiger will be walking 18 holes, a milestone in his recovery that appears to remain some ways off.

As for a return to the PGA Tour, where Tiger can’t rely on taking his son’s drives off the forward tees and cruising around in a golf cart, the timeline is still uncertain. When, or if, that day comes, golf fans can expect it to be sometime in 2022, perhaps the 150th playing of the Open Championship at St. Andrews. But like most news pertaining to Tiger, it remains pure speculation at this point. Needless to say, it’s great to have Woods back on a golf course whatever the circumstances.