June 17, 2021
On February 23, 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car crash in California. The vehicle he was driving was written off and he suffered serious injuries. Woods broke bones in both of his legs and underwent surgery.
Since bursting onto the scene as a teenage prodigy Woods has defined modern golf. His list of accomplishments is staggering with the American winning 82 PGA Tour events including five Masters Tournaments, three US Opens and three British Opens.
Despite fears that the collision would mark the end of his legendary career, the 45-year-old has since begun the painstaking rehabilitation process. His progress has been slow and steady, though many are still concerned that he will not be half the player he used to be when he does return.
Are they right to be worried? Those that take part in betting on golf can see that bookies are listing Tiger Woods as participant on future events, which is a good indicator that he could make a strong comeback, however we need to keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed in this business.
What Woods has said about his recovery
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This is not the first time Woods has suffered a nasty injury. During the 2010s he had several surgeries to deal with a string of back problems. Prior to that he had leg issues, which also required rehabilitation.
In a recent interview with GolfDigest Woods confessed that his current fitness problems posed the most difficult challenge of his career so far.
“This has been an entirely different animal,” he said. “I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced.
“My physical therapy has been keeping me busy. I do my routines every day and am focused on my No.1 goal right now: walking on my own. Taking it one step at a time.”
He added: “It’s been nice having the ability to still stay strong and work out my upper body.”
Since suffering his injuries, he has received plenty of support from his fellow golfing professionals and fans. Woods revealed he was incredibly thankful for all the messages.
“It’s been incredible. I have had so much support from people both inside and outside of golf which means so much to me and has helped tremendously.”
Previous golfing comebacks
Woods is not the first golfer to eye an unlikely return to the top. The legend will be able to take plenty of heart from these three stories of determination and resilience.
Ben Hogan
Just 16 months before he won the 1950 US Open Ben Hogan nearly died in a head-on collision with a Greyhound bus. The fact that he even competed was nothing short of a miracle.
Hogan did not just make up the numbers, though. By the end he was tied with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio on +7, leading to a playoff. It was a dramatic climax with the trio within one shot of each other for much of the final round. In the end Hogan pulled ahead, eventually winning by four shots.
Woods is already aware of Hogan’s incredible comeback story, saying at the 2018 US Open: “I think that one of the greatest comebacks in all of sport is the gentleman who won here, Mr Ben Hogan. I mean, he got hit by a bus and came back and won major championships.
“The pain he had to endure, the things he had to do just to play and just how hard it was for him to walk, and he ended up walking 36 holes (in one day) and winning a US Open.”
Lloyd Mangrum
Golf.com recently dubbed Lloyd Mangrum “the best player you’ve never heard of” and it is hard to argue with this description.
Mangrum fought in World War Two and was shot in the leg and shoulder. For his bravery he earned two Purple Hearts. Upon his return to his home country, he carved out an incredible golfing career, winning the 1946 US Open by beating Byron Nelson and Vic Ghezii by a single shot in a Playoff.
Steve Jones
Steve Jones won several events on the 1987-88 PGA Tour. In 1991 his career would take a tragic turn when he suffered ligament and joint damage in a dirt bike accident.
Despite his injuries Jones would make a comeback to the tour. After qualifying for the 1996 US Open via a sectional qualifier he went on to win the entire thing, defeating Tom Lehman and Davis Love III by a single stroke. It was an incredible moment and proved what can be achieved through hard work.
Can he return to the top?
Things may seem bleak for Woods right now but if anyone can defy the odds and return to the top it’s him. He is without a shadow of a doubt the best golfer of all-time and has already shown remarkable resilience during his career.
His return to form following those back surgeries and a string of off-field problems suggest that Woods possesses the necessary focus to successfully complete his rehab this time around.
When he does make his comeback, bookmakers are likely to price him as an outsider. This means he could represent great value which could pay off handsomely. Something to keep in mind as Woods nears his return.
