We’re six days away from the golf world descending upon Augusta Nationwide in what many think about to be one of the best week of the yr.
However five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods won’t be on this yr’s discipline. On Mar. 11, Woods introduced that he had undergone surgical procedure to restore a ruptured Achilles, an harm he sustained whereas understanding at dwelling. Woods then stated that his docs count on him to make a full restoration and that his major focus within the months to come back will probably be on rehab.
And but, this newest operation marked the 14th surgical procedure of Woods’ profession. He has gone beneath the knife nearly as a lot as he has gained main championships. His physique has taken a toll through the years, particularly during the last decade.
So why does he proceed to attempt to play?
ESPN’s Andy North, who has served as a longtime analyst for the community and can name the motion for subsequent week’s Masters, offered a touching reply. He made these feedback on a name previewing subsequent week’s event with reporters.
“Deep down in my coronary heart, he is likely one of the nice opponents of all time, but when he didn’t have any youngsters, I don’t know if he’d be enjoying now. I feel one of many causes he’s labored so exhausting after the accident was as a result of it gave him a terrific alternative to spend a lot time with Charlie and play golf together with his son, and watch Charlie get higher,” North stated.
“He made a remark to me one time that there are days Charlie comes dwelling from college and embarrasses him into going and enjoying 9 holes late within the afternoon with him. I feel that’s one thing that’s so particular.”
On condition that Woods tore his Achilles, an harm that often takes 9 to 12 months to get better from, golf followers will doubtless not see the 15-time main winner tee it up till 2026 — in the event that they’re fortunate.
“Now we’re attending to the purpose that this subsequent rehab goes to be brutally troublesome for him. He doesn’t should show something to anyone. He’s achieved the whole lot he wanted to do. If he had been to announce within the subsequent month or two that, you recognize what, ‘I’m by no means enjoying aggressive golf once more.’ I feel that might be nice, and nobody would have a problem with that,” North stated.
“I feel that the competitor in him — you recognize, you at all times assume you’ll be able to rehab. You at all times assume you’ll be able to come again. You at all times imagine that you are able to do this. However I don’t have any magic solutions there. I might assume that he’s going to attempt to play some occasions after this rehab. Is it going to be a Tiger Woods that may compete? Deep in my coronary heart, I don’t assume so.”
Andy North’s ESPN colleague, Curtis Unusual, who gained the U.S. Open in back-to-back years at Brookline and Oak Hill in 1988 and 1989, echoed this sentiment. However Unusual additionally identified how Woods’ mere presence on the property — no matter whether or not he performs — will show invaluable for future generations.
“I need to see him at Augusta for a very long time sooner or later enjoying. He’s not going to play the way in which he needs to, however I feel the individuals would like to see him, very like they noticed Jack and Arnie, particularly Arnie, for a very long time,” Unusual stated.
“I feel we’d like these individuals round, to be across the youthful technology, to reply questions — gamers study by instance, tips on how to play golf programs. Simply be a part of the elder statesman society.
“I hope he will get again to the place he can play. We don’t even know if he can play ever once more. It’s going badly. However particularly right here, the place he can come again and be comfy and simply be round. The individuals can’t get sufficient of him. We are able to’t get sufficient of him. It could be unhappy that he wouldn’t come again right here and play sooner or later, however what the longer term holds, we don’t know.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
