The 14-time major champion had spinal fusion surgery last April – his fourth back operation in three years – and feared he might never play again.

Not only has he recovered but a recent run of good form means he is one of the favourites to win at Augusta next week.

“I’m starting to put the pieces together,” said the American, 42.

“I got a second chance on life [with the spinal fusion surgery]. I am a walking miracle.”

‘I’m just there to win’
Woods, a four-time Masters winner, has finished 12th, second and fifth in his past three starts on the PGA Tour.

His last Green Jacket came in 2005, but he is setting his sights high for his return to the tournament.

“I’m just there to win,” he said on his official website. “I’ve been better with each week I’ve competed. A little more crisp.

“I’m just really looking forward to playing at the Masters. It’s the best run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere. It’s a golfer’s heaven.”

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Source: BBC

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The professional golfer was arrested in May after officers found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home.

A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana’s active ingredient.

The 41-year-old golfer, who has 14 major men’s golf titles, has not won a major championship since 2008.

As part of Friday’s plea bargain, he is required to attend a drug treatment programme and undergo drug testing.

Woods has already completed 50 hours of community service as part of the programme, said a state prosecutor.

If he completes the programme, the reckless driving charge will be wiped from his record, said Florida Circuit Judge Sandra Bosso-Pardo during his court hearing.

“This particular plea agreement has no jail time,” Judge Bosso-Pardo noted during the sentencing.

“However, if you violate your probation in any significant way, I could revoke your probation and sentence you to jail for 90 days.”

“Is that understood?” she asked.

Woods replied: “Yes.”

Police dashcam footage of Woods’ 29 May arrest showed the golfer swaying and slurring his words as he interacted with officers near his home in Jupiter, Florida.

He later insisted that alcohol was not a factor, which the toxicology test showed to be true.

He claimed his disorientated condition was caused by an unexpected reaction to the combination of medications he was taking, following surgery on his back.

In 2009 Woods was involved in a bizarre car crash outside his Orlando home.

The incident sparked accusations of extramarital affairs which led to the end of his seven-year marriage and the loss of lucrative sponsorship deals.

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Source: BBC

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Woods, 41, is recovering from a fourth back operation in the last three years and has not played since withdrawing from February’s Dubai Desert Classic.

On Sunday, the American posted a video on Twitter hitting a driver, with the caption “Making progress”.

“He can do as much as he needs to do,” said his agent Mark Steinberg.

Woods had back fusion surgery in April and last month admitted he may never return to competitive golf.

His long-time agent Steinberg said the former world number one is being careful not to rush his comeback.

“He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed,” Steinberg told ESPN. “Tiger is going to take this very, very slowly. This is good, but he plans to do it the right way.”

The three-time Open champion has not won a tournament since 2013, while his drought in the majors stretches back to 2008.

In August, Woods pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence after being found asleep at the wheel, but agreed to enter a rehabilitation programme that would see the charge dropped later this year.

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Source: BBC

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Tiger Woods had five different drugs in his system when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in May, according to a toxicology report.

A urine test revealed a mixture of strong painkillers, sleep and anxiety drugs and THC, which is a chemical component of marijuana.

The former world number one, 41, sought “professional help” after his arrest.

The 14-time major winner pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge last week.

Woods, who is recovering from a fourth back operation, is now expected to admit a lesser charge of reckless driving and enter a 12-month probation programme.

“As I previously said, I received professional help to manage my medications,” said Woods on Monday.

“Recently, I had been trying on my own to treat my back pain and a sleep disorder, including insomnia, but I realise now it was a mistake to do this without medical assistance.”

American Woods was arrested near his Florida home on 29 May, after police found him asleep in his car on the side of the road.

He denied alcohol was involved and said it was down to “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication”.

The toxicology results, made public by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, showed the presence of:

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Delta-9 carboxy THC

Woods has not won a tournament since 2013, while his title drought in major championships dates back to 2008.

Last December, he returned to action after 15 months out injured but has not played since his back problems recurred in February.

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Source: BBC

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The former world number one golfer was found at the wheel of his Mercedes, in the right lane, and had to be woken by a police officer early on Monday.

Charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Mr Woods blamed “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication”.

He maintains that alcohol was “not involved” in the incident.

“Woods had extremely slow and slurred speech,” a copy of the police report published by US outlets said. He was “co-operative” but “confused”.

Mr Woods initially told the arresting officer he was coming back from LA, having been golfing, and said he did not know where he was. He then changed his story about where he was coming from and going to, the police report says.

Officers also recorded that Mr Woods had failed all but one of the roadside tests – including standing on one leg and the “walk and turn” test.

The results sheet from his breathalyser test noted he was “unable to walk alone”.

But results of the test show he “blew zeroes” – indicating a lack of alcohol in his breath.

“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.

“I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”

Police released a mugshot of Mr Woods, looking unshaven and unkempt, following his arrest in the town of Jupiter.

The police document also revealed some of the golfer’s medical details, including a history of multiple knee and Achilles tendon surgeries.

Mr Woods also told police he was taking several prescription medications. The athlete has been recovering from back surgery.

In his most recent comment about his health, he wrote that the surgery had relieved terrible pain and that he had not “felt this good in years”.

Police records show the 41-year-old golfer was pulled over at about 03:00 local time (07:00 GMT) near his home in Jupiter and later taken into custody. He was released from Palm Beach County jail at 10:30 local time.

The record says that he was released “on his own recognisance”, meaning he promised in writing to co-operate with future legal proceedings.

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Source: BBC

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The player, who was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), blamed “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication”.

“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.

Police released a mugshot of Woods, looking unshaven and unkempt, following his arrest in the town of Jupiter.

“I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications,” he said.

“I didn’t realise the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”

He added: “I would like to apologise with all my heart to my family, friends and the fans. I expect more from myself too.”

Police records show the 41-year-old golfer was pulled over at about 03:00 local time (07:00 GMT) near his home in Jupiter and later taken into custody. He was released from Palm Beach County jail at 10:30 local time.

The record says that he was released “on his own recognisance”, meaning he promised in writing to co-operate with future legal proceedings.

Woods has been recovering from back surgery. In his most recent comment about his health, he wrote that the surgery had relieved terrible pain and that he hadn’t “felt this good in years”.

The 14-time major champion’s personal life came under scrutiny in 2009 when he was charged with careless driving outside his Florida home.

He later admitted to having had extra-marital affairs and made a frank public apology. He said he had received professional help and planned to undergo further therapy.

The golfer lost several sponsors over the scandal and took a break from competitive competition.

–

Source: BBC

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Police recorded the arrest at 07:18 local time (11:18 GMT). The golfer was released a few hours later, records from Palm Beach County police show.

He was arrested in the town of Jupiter at around 03:00 local time, media reports say. He has not made any comment.

The police record lists the charge as Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

It specifies an unlawful blood alcohol level and says that he was released on his “own recognizance”, meaning he promised in writing to co-operate with future legal proceedings.

The 41-year-old golfer has been recovering from recent back surgery and last blogged about his health on 24 May.

He wrote that the surgery had relieved terrible pain and that he hadn’t “felt this good in years”.

He said the outlook for a return to competitive golf was “positive” but that he was not in a “hurry”.

“I want to play professional golf again but I’m not looking ahead,” he said. “I can’t twist for another two and a half to three months. Right now, my sole focus is rehab and doing what the doctors tell me. I am concentrating on short-term goals.”

America’s 14-time major champion came back after 15 months out injured in December, but has not played since his back problems recurred in February.

Plans to compete at Augusta in April – on the 20th anniversary of his first Masters win – had to be abandoned.

Tiger Woods has not won a tournament anywhere since 2013, while his title drought in major championships dates back to 2008.

Triumph to troubles: Tiger’s masterclass 20 years on

His personal life came under intense scrutiny in 2009 after he was charged with careless driving outside his Florida home.

He later admitted to having had extra-marital affairs and made a frank public apology. He said he had received professional help and planned to undergo further therapy.

The golfer lost several sponsors over the scandal and took a break from competitive golf. He and Elin Nordegren later announced their divorce.

–

Source: BBC

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Woods, 41, pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic before the second roundthis month because of a back spasm. He only returned to action in December after two back operations.

“There were a lot of times I didn’t think I was going to make it back. It was tough, it was more than brutal,” Woods told Dubai magazine Vision. Woods’ first return to competitive action after a 15-month lay-off came in December at the Hero World Challenge – an 18-man tournament in the Bahamas – and he finished 15th at the PGA Tour event. He hopes to compete in the Masters at Augusta from 6-9 April.

“There have been plenty of times when I thought I would never play the game again at the elite level,” added Woods, who has won 79 titles on the PGA Tour.

“It was tough, it was more than brutal. There were times I needed help just to get out of bed. “I feel good, not great. I don’t think I will ever feel great because it’s three back surgeries, four knee operations.

“I’m always going to be a little bit sore. As long as I can function, I’m fine with that.” Woods has not won a tournament anywhere since 2013, while his title drought in major championships dates back to 2008. “There is a changing of the guard,” he said.

“My generation is getting older but if I’m teeing up then the goal is to win.”

–

Source: BBC

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The meeting follows several incidences of mob attacks on suspected criminals by irate youth groups in the area which left over four suspects killed in the last couple of days.

In an interview with Citi News, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha who doubles as the chairman of the Security Council said the upsurge of instant justice in the municipality is a great security concern to the council.

He said: “We are getting worried about the way people are beginning to resort to instant justice but what is more disturbing is that the police are unable to arrest any of the perpetuators”.

The MCE was optimistic the meeting will address the issue and all other security challenges such as land litigation which he said “is also gaining notoriety in the municipality”

A cross section of the public who spoke to Citi News on condition of anonymity blamed the law enforcement agencies for not doing enough in the fight against crime in the area.

An Assembly member alleged that criminals are usually allowed to go scot-free instead of convicting them to serve as a deterrent to others, saying, “most police personnel here have been compromised in their line of duties and so are unable to interrogate case independently”.

She called for a mass transfer of the police in the area .

The acting Upper West Regional Police PRO, ASP Edmond Nyamekye described the allegations as “erroneous impressions held by the public”.

According to him, “the people don’t follow cases in the law courts and therefore are unable to appreciate what the police are doing”

ASP Nyamekye gave the assurance that all criminal cases including those involving instant justice that are reported to the police will be properly investigated and those found culpable will face the full rigors of the law.

The PRO said as part of efforts to reduce cases of instant justice in the Wa municipality, the police has launched a campaign to educate people to report criminal cases to the police instead of resorting to mob action.

By: Mahama Latif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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