Sports

The 43-year-old South African has been sidelined since the PGA Championship after having disc replacement surgery. "I'm very excited about the new year," he said. "I don't really know what to expect. You're feeling good and keen to play again after five months." During his time away, he fell 40 spots in the world ranking to 107th. He has a Major Medical Extension on the PGA TOUR, but begins 2013 abroad. In his last blog entry, he was merely hoping to start hitting balls this month, so the early return is a bonus. "About two weeks ago, just before the deadline to enter for [the Volvo], I decided I would enter and see how I feel. Last week I was up at Zebula Country Club and I played a couple of rounds there and my back felt pretty good and I decided would I give it a go."