Throughout Tiger Woods‘ extraordinary career, injuries have been an unforgiving, recurring companion. Woods has fought hard against the physical toll of his genius from the peaks of his dominant heyday to the painful lows of surgery-induced absences. The biggest difficulty the golfer has faced to date is his current recovery from a potentially fatal car accident in 2021.
The 15-time major winner recently shared details on the drawn-out recuperation procedure needed following competitions. Woods emphasized how competitive golf takes a physical toll on his already injured body. While he aims to keep competing in the next three months, will his body allow it?
In a recent appearance on the TODAY show, Tiger Woods explained his current struggles on the greens. Although the 48-year-old had earlier in the year set a goal of participating in one tournament every month, he conceded the schedule might need to be adjusted in light of his recovery requirements. “I have basically the next three months. So I have three majors and hopefully, you know, that’ll kind of work out.”
Woods has marked off the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open in his calendar in an effort to keep going against the odds and compete in major championships. Woods has also explained his physical troubles after the accident, “I’ve struggled with my hips moving and especially since my accident, my right leg doesn’t work that well.” He goes on to explain that he slides through impacts due to limited movement in his damaged right leg, which results in blocks and mis-hits that he is continuously trying to get rid of. Compared to his best years, Woods’ practice and recovery routines have changed significantly as a result of the hurdles.
“It’s just like being at home. It’s like being at home when we’re practicing at home,” he said about his new normal on tour. “I’m trying to keep the club tight to my body.”
But the physical cost is enormous, as he disclosed doing a lengthy “cold plunge, stretch, all of it” exercise every day following a game. When asked how he felt after Augusta, “I was sore,” was his only answer, “cold plunge every day, religiously.”
What does Tiger Woods’s tale of plight infer?
Before the Masters, Tiger Woods was reported to not even being able to move his ankle, according to his friend Notah Begay. “For the past couple of months, he’s been trying to find a way to recover,” Begay said. His 2023 was also a poor year since he withdrew from Masters, and then underwent an ankle surgery in April. For the rest of the season, he was out of the competitive greens and returned at the end of the year to compete at the Hero World Challenge and PNC Championship.
Woods promised his fans that he would compete in one event every month in 2024, but failed to do so. He did tee up at Genesis, only to WD because of Influenza. Before he teed up at the Masters this year, people were uncertain about him being able to play all 4 rounds, but he did and displayed a tale of resilience. It sure was not easy, but the golfer did not give up. Woods hopes to contend at the upcoming majors despite the growing obstacles, and it just shows that golf means so much to him.
Woods’ perseverance motivates him to overcome the odds at the British Open, U.S. Open, and PGA. However, his frank remarks draw attention to the physical cost. His determination might add the most motivational chapter to his legacy to date.
