Considering he is regarded as one of the best golf players in the world, fans of the sport may be disappointed to learn that Tiger Woods will no longer be competing in golf tournaments full-time.
In late February of 2021, the golf legend was involved in a devastating car crash that left him with substantial injuries. While flying down a Southern California road, he swerved the wheel, hit a curb, and had his car roll over. The impact left trauma on his right leg, which required immediate surgery.
At the time, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to walk again, let alone play the sport that made him famous. However, he has dedicated himself to a recovery process and is slowly learning to rebuild strength in his leg. While he is getting the hang of swinging a club again, Woods discussed with Golf Digest that the crash catalyzed the end of an era: he will no longer dedicate himself to competitions as a full-time career. Although he doesn’t plan to leave the sport, competition is likely out of the question.
Tiger Woods has accepted that the peak of his career is over
“I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one day—never full time, ever again—but pick and choose, just like Mr. [Ben] Hogan did. Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that,” Woods commented during the interview.
Noting that he has accepted where his career is heading, the 45-year-old said, “You practice around that, and you gear yourself up for that. I think that’s how I’m going to have to play it from now on. It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it.”
After conducting an incredibly successful career as a professional athlete, Woods feels confident in the state he is leaving the sport. His job has provided him with fulfillment and he no longer depends on competition to make him happy. “I don’t have to compete and play against the best players in the world to have a great life … I can still participate,” he shared.
Given the fact that he wasn’t entirely certain walking would be in his future, being able to still guide a club to a golf ball is exciting. “There was a point in time when, I wouldn’t say it was 50/50, but it was damn near there if I was going to walk out of that hospital with one leg,” Woods commented.
Concluding that he keeps his expectations realistic, Woods relayed the importance of his steady climb back to mobility. “There’s a lot to look forward to, a lot of hard work to be done—being patient and progressing at a pace that is aggressive but not over the top,” he said.
What to Read Next...
At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. We are far from the run-of-the-mill 24/7 sports news websites. We not only bring you what’s happening in the world of sports in terms of trades and breaking news, but we also bring you the news that goes on behind the scenes, like big life moments, and so much more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it.