We’re six days away from the golf world descending upon Augusta Nationwide in what many take into account to be the most effective 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 house. Woods then stated that his docs count on him to make a full restoration and that his main focus within the months to return will likely be on rehab.
And but, this newest operation marked the 14th surgical procedure of Woods’ profession. He has gone underneath the knife virtually as a lot as he has received main championships. His physique has taken a toll over time, 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, supplied a touching reply. He made these feedback on a name previewing subsequent week’s match with reporters.
“Deep down in my coronary heart, he is likely one of the nice rivals of all time, but when he didn’t have any kids, I don’t know if he’d be enjoying now. I believe one of many causes he’s labored so onerous after the accident was as a result of it gave him an ideal 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 house from faculty and embarrasses him into going and enjoying 9 holes late within the afternoon with him. I believe 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 recuperate from, golf followers will seemingly 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 tough for him. He doesn’t should show something to anyone. He’s finished every little thing he wanted to do. If he have been to announce within the subsequent month or two that, you already know what, ‘I’m by no means enjoying aggressive golf once more.’ I believe that might be nice, and nobody would have a difficulty with that,” North stated.
“I believe that the competitor in him — you already know, you at all times assume you possibly can rehab. You at all times assume you possibly can come again. You at all times consider 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 received 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 wish to see him at Augusta for a very long time sooner or later enjoying. He’s not going to play the best way he desires to, however I believe the folks would like to see him, very similar to they noticed Jack and Arnie, particularly Arnie, for a very long time,” Unusual stated.
“I believe we want these folks round, to be across the youthful technology, to reply questions — gamers study by instance, how one can 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 folks can’t get sufficient of him. We will’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 long run holds, we don’t know.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
