With arguably the most exciting week in the golfing calendar now upon us, the main talk heading into the Masters Tournament is fixating on whether Tiger Woods will compete come Thursday’s opening round.
Roll back 12 months and the idea of Woods even getting out on a golf course again - let alone competing in the sport’s signature event - was nothing more than a distant hope. This came after the golfing great was involved in a high-speed car accident in California back in February 2021. In the crash Woods suffered life-changing injuries, which included open fractures to his lower right leg and further injuries to his foot and ankle.
In what has been a remarkable career for the 82-time PGA Tour winner, it seemed as if it would end in devastating circumstances with rumours circulating that he could well struggle to ever walk again.
Fast forward one year though, Woods finds himself back at Augusta National and on the cusp of one of the most remarkable comebacks in sporting history, with a decision on whether he will compete in this week’s major still yet to be made.
The 82-time PGA Tour winner’s nightmare began 14 months ago, whilst he was in Los Angeles to host the Genesis Invitational. Woods himself wasn’t playing at the event due to an ongoing back injury, but made his annual appearance at the event where his PGA Tour story began.
What was supposed to be a celebrated week turned into tragedy for the American, after he was involved in a high speed crash on February 23. In the aftermath Woods was relieved from the wreckage through the windscreen and immediately taken to hospital after suffering injuries "to his right lower extremity".
On the extent of the damage Harbor-UCLA Medical Hospital chief medical officer Anish Mahajan revealed: “Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilised by inserting a rod into the tibia.
"Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilised with a combination of screws and pins. Trauma to the muscle and soft tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling."
As the world of sport held its breath, Woods was then transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to continue his procedures, before finally being released from hospital three weeks after the crash. What Woods revealed in the aftermath shocked the whole of golf.
Speaking at the Hero World Challenge months later, he admitted he was ‘lucky to be alive’ and revealed that amputation was in fact ‘on the table’. In order to get back to fitness, Woods was required to go through a gruelling rehabilitation process, and for the most part kept his progress close to his chest.
Do you think Woods will make his return this week? Let us know in the comments section below.
After remaining out of the public eye for the majority, the 82-time PGA Tour champ sent the golf world into a frenzy eight months on from the accident following a video upload to social media. As a result, Woods shared a three-second clip of him back on the range and hitting golf balls which has since racked up a staggering 11.8 million views across his Twitter and Instagram pages.
One month later Woods was back out on the course competing in front of the TV cameras - albeit not on the PGA Tour - alongside his son Charlie in the father-son competition at the PNC Championship in Florida. Woods Snr and Jr were of course the main attraction, and no doubt lived up to the billing, securing a second place finish behind John Daly and his son John Jr.
Despite being back out on the course, competing across four days on the PGA Tour was another story. Woods himself even went on to confirm that his return to competitive golf would be a ‘part-time’ one due to the effects of his injuries.
Exactly one year on from the crash the 15-time major champion was back at the Genesis Invitational, and despite giving fans an update on his condition he admitted he was unsure on when his return could come. He said: “I wish I could tell you when I'm playing again. I want to know, but I don't. My golf activity has been very limited.”
In the aftermath many had hoped his fairytale comeback could well come at Augusta National, a course where he has enjoyed so much success winning five major titles. And after his name was included on the tournament’s provisional entry list in March many began to believe.
According to reports though the one thing that stood in his way, was the gruelling walk that the famous Georgia course presents. Woods’ swing seemed to be in good shape, however the difficult terrain of Augusta presented problems for the 82-time PGA Tour winner.
Woods was reportedly at the course last week in an effort to test out his fitness against the conditions alongside son Charlie and fellow professional Justin Thomas. He then confirmed he was heading back to Augusta National over the weekend, where he then appeared in the opening practice session of tournament week on Sunday.
Despite being present and out hitting golf balls on Sunday, Woods is still yet to confirm his decision on whether he will be competing ahead of the opening round in three days time. His announcement is expected in the next day or two, with the tournament kicking off on Thursday April 7.
