Tiger Woods proclaims himself ‘good enough’ to play

For anyone wondering about that surgically repaired back, Tiger Woods offered a straightforward update on his medical condition.

“I can play competitive golf again,” he said.

Woods spoke to reporters on Tuesday before the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.,, where he will make his comeback this week.

It was back in March when the former No. 1 player decided to undergo a microdiscectomy for a pinched nerve that had been causing him pain for months.

His rehabilitation has involved constant physical therapy, medical tests and a special diet. He called it “quite a tedious little process.”

Speedy progress -- and the fact that the Quicken Loans National is connected to his charitable foundation -- prompted Woods to return a few weeks earlier than planned.

“I haven’t had the amount of prep and reps that I would like,” he said. “But I’m good enough to play and I’m going to give it a go.”

With the tournament being played at Congressional, Woods and his girlfriend, skier Lindsey Vonn, will visit President Obama at the White House on Tuesday night. He also said that he planned to be at the British Open next month.

As for this week, he was asked about his mantra of expecting to win every time he tees off.

“Expectations don’t change,” he said. “It’s just that it’s going to be a little bit harder this time.”