The future of the NBA is uncertain. LeBron James has not yet announced his decision to return or not, and it remains unclear how that will affect the league moving forward.
Tiger Woods’ days on the PGA Tour may be numbered.
In a single-car accident outside Los Angeles in February, the 15-time major champion sustained severe leg injuries and hasn’t been able to walk on his own since. At this point, Woods is just concerned about getting back on his feet. Returning to the golf field seems to be an elusive — and high — objective.
But Jack Nicklaus, the only player with more major championship titles than Woods, isn’t given up hope. The Golden Bear prophesied in a recent interview that his protégé will return and execute the greatest comeback of his career.
Tiger Woods has yet to fully heal from his horrific automobile accident.
During the Payne’s Valley Cup in 2023, Jack Nicklaus speaks with Tiger Woods | Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Payne’s Valley Cup
When Woods drove his SUV off the road outside of Los Angeles six months ago, he sent shivers through the golf world. Those following along were simply hoping the golf great would survive for a few hours.
Woods was taken to a neighboring hospital straight afterwards and had emergency surgery on his right leg. During the procedure, surgeons implanted a rod in his leg and used pins and screws to brace his ankle.
Fortunately, Woods survived the collision, but it was obvious that his rehabilitation would be tough. After a few months, the 45-year-old finally opened out and described the recovery process in full.
In May, Woods told Golf Digest’s Daniel Rapaport, “This has been a completely different beast.” “Because of my previous injuries, I am more familiar with the rehabilitation process, but this was the most excruciating thing I have ever gone through.”
That’s quite a compliment. Throughout his career, Woods has had five back operations, a torn ACL, and many more ailments. It’s not going to be simple.
Tiger Woods is optimistic in his ability to return to the PGA Tour, according to Jack Nicklaus.
At this stage in his career, few golf fans believe Woods has a chance to return to the PGA Tour, but gamble against him at your own peril. Nicklaus may know Tiger better than anyone else in golf, and he believes he can make a spectacular return.
“I know Tiger,” Nicklaus told the Washington Post’s Leonard Shapiro recently. “What does it say about him that he won the U.S. Open with a fractured leg at Torrey Pines? He’ll still be able to smash it about, and he’ll be OK if he can putt. I’m not sure whether he’ll be able to return to his previous level, but I anticipate him to play again.”
That’s a bold statement from perhaps the greatest golfer of all time.
Is it reasonable to expect Woods to play professional golf again?
Given that Woods is still unable to walk six months after his accident, it’s fair to assume he won’t be back on the course for a long time. Even if he feels strong enough to swing a club again, there’s no assurance he’ll be able to return to his PGA Tour form.
Tiger Woods may walk away from the game tomorrow with perhaps the most remarkable résumé in professional golf ever. No one would blame him if he retired his spikes and dedicated the rest of his life to his family.
On the other hand, he is just 45 years old. At the age of 50, Phil Mickelson has just won his sixth major championship. Who’s to say Tiger won’t be able to accomplish the same thing in a few years?
If Nicklaus is correct and Woods does return to the PGA Tour, his 2019 Masters victory will be challenged as the most improbable comeback tale of his career.
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