Tiger Woods’ latest sabbatical has feel of ‘curtains’ about it
Published:
Tiger Woods’ golf career is hanging in the balance after the 14-time major winner withdrew from a third tournament in eight starts before labelling his current game as “unacceptable”.
Although the American has been blighted by a back injury in recent years, forcing him to undergo surgery in spring 2014, Woods is adamant his latest setback wasn’t related and that he’d be back.
Following his withdrawal from the Farmers Insurance event on the PGA Tour, so soon after carding his worst ever professional round of 11-over-par to miss the cut in Phoenix, it feels like Tiger has an Everest-sized mountain to climb despite his claims.
“I need a lot of work on my game and to spend time with people that are important to me,” said the American.
“I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level. When I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.” He added: “I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game. I do expect to be playing again very soon.”
Having not added to his hoard of major trophies since 2008, reaching that pinnacle again would arguably become Woods’ greatest achievement in the game among a myriad of significant ones, especially with the emergence of Rory McIlroy.
The pretender to Woods’ crown has a really long way to go before creating such an extraordinary legacy, but the world number one only needs a Green Jacket, where he’s the 7/2 Masters favourite, to complete the career Grand Slam at the age of 25.
All hope is not lost for Tiger who lifted five trophies on the PGA Tour in 2013, which is in effect his only season since 2010 free of off-field controversies or injury.
However, approaching his 40th birthday at the end of 2015, it remains to be seen how hotly the coals still burn in the great man to make another comeback.
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Never to win another Major: 4/11
To win another major: 2/1
To win another PGA title – 1/4
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