Tiger Woods' Comeback at the Hero World Challenge Signals He's Far From Fading Away
Tiger Woods' remarkable comeback at the Hero World Challenge defies expectations, proving he's not ready to fade away Despite a lengthy injury list, Woods stands apart from other athletes, showcasing his unparalleled determination and resilience
Athletes with an injury list as extensive as Tiger Woods' would typically retire from professional sports, but Woods is not like most athletes. His much-anticipated return to professional golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas was not perfect, as expected.
In his first tournament in nearly eight months, Woods showed that he can still compete at a high level and has an unwavering desire to keep playing. He finished at even par at Albany Golf Club, placing 18th out of 20 on the overall leaderboard. His final round included five birdies, including a fantastic long putt on the fifth hole, as well as some less than perfect moments: a double bogey on the second hole and three additional bogeys on the eighth, 11th, and 16th.
Overall, there were some encouraging indications for the 47-year-old. Woods maintained an average of 305 yards off the tee, demonstrating that his long game is in excellent condition, and he also displayed that his worn and aging body can still endure the demands of four rounds of competitive golf.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 01: Tiger Woods, representing the United States, takes a shot from the 13th tee at the Albany Golf Course during the second round of the Hero World Challenge on December 01, 2023 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods shows improvement in his long-awaited return to golf on day two.
"I feel like I've made a lot of progress from being slightly rusty to playing four days and shaking off a lot of rust, which is great," Woods shared with Golf Channel after his last round.
After a long break, it was refreshing to be back in the game, playing alongside the guys and having a good time competing. I do wish I could have done better, but there's always room for improvement. Looking forward to the next opportunity, which is the PNC Championship, a father-son tournament starting on December 14th in Orlando, Florida.
For the fourth consecutive time, Woods will be participating in the event with his son Charlie, marking his second tournament following ankle surgery in April. Woods aims to regularly play on the PGA Tour in 2024, with potential options including the Genesis Invitational and the Players Championship as he ramps up his competitive return during the upcoming year.
He then plans to make appearances at the Masters in April and the Olympics in Paris later in the year. Woods mentioned, "Appearing once a month seems reasonable, allowing me a couple of weeks to recover and a week to tune up. Perhaps I can get into the rhythm of something like that. That is the plan for next year and I don't foresee any changes."
During the Hero World Challenge, which Woods hosts, he said that he had been "pleasantly surprised" with his physical recovery between rounds.
Woods and winner Scottie Scheffler attend the trophy presentation at the Hero World Challenge.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
After posting a two-under 70 on Friday, he climbed to 15th on the leaderboard following an inconsistent opening round. He then followed up with a 71 on Saturday. The most crucial aspect, however, is that his body held up, eight months after Woods revealed enduring "constant pain" while playing at the Masters.
After his withdrawal from Augusta National in April, Woods underwent ankle surgery, adding to a history of injuries that have sidelined him from golf. Despite severe leg injuries from a 2021 car crash and previous surgeries on his back and left knee, Woods has achieved 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins, making it understandable if he wanted to retire from the sport.
Scottie Scheffler, winner of the Hero World Challenge by three shots, told reporters before the tournament that the golfer could easily retire and live his life, but instead he continues to compete and do what's best for the players and the PGA Tour. This dedication is inspirational for everyone involved in the game.
Following his victory on Sunday, Scheffler expressed that seeing Woods back on the golf course, strolling down the fairways in his iconic red and black attire, was "very special." This sentiment may become increasingly frequent for the rest of the golfing community next year, as one of the sport's most legendary players continues to defy the odds.
