Tiger Woods is perhaps the most recognizable face in professional golf. In fact, in recent years he has faced a cavalcade of health challenges, including a concatenation of seven back surgeries since April 2014. Since the beginning of this month, he’s recovered from a procedure in which surgeons replaced a disk in his lower back. This disk had given him a lot of pain and created serious mobility issues. He’s about to turn 50 on December 30. For many golf fans, hope runs the highest as the world awaits his first foray into the PGA Tour Champions.
That would represent a major surprise comeback for Woods, who has long fought injuries of all sorts throughout his career. Then in February 2021, he was critically injured in a car accident, leaving him with a completely shattered right leg and ankle. Additionally, earlier this year he ruptured his left Achilles tendon, making a comeback to competitive golf even more complicated.
Despite these disappointments, our preparations continue for Woods’ likely debut on the Champions circuit. PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady said that they’re encouraged by Woods’s recovery process and the possibility of his playing.
“To be honest with you, given the last surgery, I just hope Tiger gets back on his feet and is able to play golf again.” – Miller Brady
Woods’s last event was his playoff loss at the PNC Championship last year. The PGA Tour Champions has 54-hole events with more access for players. They’re able to operate off of carts, which would apparently reduce some of the physical stress that Woods has endured.
The entire golfing community will be watching and waiting for further news on Woods’ condition. From fans to industry professionals, everyone’s waiting and wanting to see him back in the game that he’s irrevocably changed. He fears that any legacy he might leave on the golf course would be overshadowed by this mixture of miracle and maiming, should he ever return.
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