December 31, 2015: The golfing woods were a different world a decade ago, reverberating constantly to an incessant roar from Tiger Woods. One of the greatest golfers to have ever played the game ruled the woods with an unprecedented streak of victories that saw him accumulate 79 titles in a little more than a dozen years. As Tiger turns 40, golf has a much younger feel to it with the growing influence of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. But even as the next generation takes over the game, romantics continue to hope that Tiger will roar again.
At the beginning of December, the man himself painted a grim picture through his media interactions at the Hero World Challenge and in that interview with Lorne Rubenstein of the Time.
But then, Woods expressed optimism again in his blog notes through his website, even raising hopes that we may even see him in action again in 2016. “The thing I’m looking forward to the most about 2016 is getting back out there again. I’ve missed it, and I would like to do it pain-free,” said Woods in his blog.
“I haven’t done that in what seems like a long time. I’ve had it in spurts the last few years and have done some pretty good things, but I’d like to have sustained health.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to play my way onto the Ryder Cup Team. Either way, I’m excited about being named a vice-captain. It will be new, fun and special.”
The lower lumbar region is notoriously injury prone among golfer. The golf swing causes stress to the lumbar spine and Woods has lived through three different surgeries on the area.
Given the lack of scientific research on the subject in the context of golf, it is difficult to predict how Woods might cope with it. But his recent dalliances with varying swings might have something to do with finding a way to manage the damage in the case of Woods.
Woods last won a major title on a single leg at the Torrey Pines in 2008 when he clinched the US Open despite tremendous physical discomfort. A year later he was entangled in a personal mess that took a massive toll on his life.
Even as we wonder now about Tiger can return to golf and find a winning way, it serves us well to remember that he did so in 2013. That was the year he won five titles, for a tenth time in his prolific career, to climb back to the top of the rankings heap.
Tiger overcame great odds in working his way back in 2013. He is facing a greater challenge this time around, as he deals with a damaged back and the resulting loss of confidence.
He is also confronted by a generation of golfers who have scaled rungs of excellence that were constructed by Woods through his own brilliance. It will be one of the most improbable Houdini acts, if Tiger can comeback and pursue the holy grail – the mark of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus.
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- anand datla
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