Bridgestone Invitational 2011: Tiger Woods Looking Healthy At Firestone

After a break of 11 weeks caused him to miss both the U.S. Open and British Open, Tiger Woods is in Akron, Ohio, preparing for his return to competitive golf in the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Knee and ankle problems that required surgery have kept Tiger off the course, and he has not played a competitive round since withdrawing from the Players Championship earlier this year. However, Woods appears to have recovered physically, and is walking without a limp at Firestone Country Club.

Once the most dominant golfer in the world, the 35-year-old Woods now has a screw in his knee and has fallen to No. 28 in the world golf rankings. If Woods is going to get back on track towards being one of the best in the world, Firestone is a good place to start. He’s won the Bridgestone Invitational a record seven times.

Of course, Woods has a new caddy this week. Woods recently fired Steve Williams, who is now Adam Scott’s caddy, and has his long-time friend Byron Bell on the bag. Though Woods’ talent was most of the reason he’s won 13 majors while Williams was his caddy, the experience of Williams certainly aided Woods and it will be interesting to see what kind of a difference - if any - Williams’ absence makes in Woods’ game.

The 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational starts on Thursday, August 4 from Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio and ends on Sunday, August 7.