On April 7, Tiger Woods returned to professional golf at the Masters. After getting injured in a car crash in February 2021, he announced that he would be more selective about the tournament he participated in.
He said he would limit himself to “the big events”. “I informed the USGA that I won’t be competing in the @usopengolf as my body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf,” he said on Twitter.
To date, Woods has only played in two tournaments in the 2021-22 PGA Tour Season—the Masters and the PGA Championship. In the former, he finished 47th but had to withdraw from the latter after experiencing pain in his leg, earning him one of the worst rounds in his entire professional career.
His injuries could be noticed more prominently at the PGA Championship. He did well in Tulsa, but in the third round, he scored a tie for last place at 12 over. He could be seen enduring severe pain and limping throughout the game.
I previously informed the USGA that I will not be competing in the @usopengolf as my body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf. I do hope and plan to be ready to play in Ireland at @JPProAm and at @TheOpen next month. I’m excited to get back out there soon!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 7, 2022
As a result of the battered right leg, which has rendered him unable to play and experience the rigors of major championship golf, Woods will not be playing at U.S. Open at Brookline Country Club this week. Regardless, he said he was determined to make his presence be seen and felt.
As he likely will not be able to play a full PGA Tour schedule for the time being, Woods’ priority will be about getting healthy again.
“I plan to be ready to play in Ireland at JP McManus Pro-Am and at The Open next month,” he said. British Open in St Andrews, Scotland, is another match that he plans to be playing at.
Woods’ Legacy
Despite so much long time has passed since his breakthrough victory at the 1997 Masters, the 46-year-old Woods remains an influential figure within the realms of golf. Having played in 89 major championships, he is an inspiration to many, one of these is Rory McIlroy, a 33-year-old who grew up with Woods as his idol. He is especially notable as the one player above the age of 30 who managed to make his way to the top 10 of the World Ranking.
Woods have brought tremendous contributions to golf. His reputation and popularity attracted TV revenues of unforeseen levels to the tournaments in which he was a part. His status as one of the most successful golfers in the history of U.S. Open remains, despite not competing in 2022 events.
Currently he has three wins in U.S. Open, in 2000, 2002, and 2008 respectively, tied with Hale Irwin for the second-most victories of U.S. Open. Additionally, he has set the record for the largest margin of victory, with 15 strokes in 2000, which stands for all majors on the PGA Tour.
After had finished his first round at Augusta, Woods discussed his attempts at recovery, saying that he had to undergo “lots of treatments. Lots of ice. Lots of ice baths”.
“Basically freezing myself to death,” he said.