Twistity Sports Exclusive: WAITING FOR TIGER

 
When Tiger Woods was carted off the course in Akron, Ohio on Sunday, withdrawing halfway through the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational with a reinjured back, he seemed unlikely to play in the 96^th PGA Championship that begins in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday.

His caddy showed up at the Valhalla Golf Club on Monday to walk the course and make notes, but Woods then canceled his Tuesday news conference. He was supposed to declare by 5 p.m. whether he would play. In or out?

Well, for now it’s both. Woods received an extension from the PGA of America and can still register for the tournament right up until his 8:35 a.m. tee time on Thursday. He is supposed to play in the first group with Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington. Woods won the PGA Championship on this course in 2000, but that might as well have been another lifetime and another golfer.

Back surgery some four months ago kept Woods sidelined and he has now withdrawn twice from tournaments this year.

Will he play? Can he play? How well if he tries? Much hangs on the decision.

He is ranked just 69^th in Ryder Cup points and U.S. team captain Tom Watson is watching and waiting to see if Woods will be able to handle playing in that event. It would be both a shame and a slap if he is left off the team.

Today’s question: Will Tiger Woods play in the PGA Championship? Should he? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .