TIGER WOODS is returning to the sport that made him a global name.
The golf legend, 45, is making his comeback at the PNC Championship alongside son Charlie, 12, just 10 months after a horrific car crash saw him suffer horrendous leg injuries and wheelchair bound for three months.
It completes a remarkable journey that began in 2019, when he found redemption at the Masters and was victorious against the odds.
And also shows his desire to make a PGA Tour comeback, if his body can hold up to the rigours of first class golf.
MAGICAL YEAR
It was only two years ago we were toasting Tiger at a majors again.
Fans cheered him on at Augusta as he clinched his fifth Masters title and ended an 11-year wait to claim his 15th major.
The victory masked his shattered public image, after numerous affairs were exposed and his marriage to ex-wife Elin Nordegren ended.
While a painkiller addiction because of his troublesome back problems threatened to tarnish his reputation furthermore.
But, as he donned the famous green jacket, he tellingly revealed why he was so determined to complete an astonishing turnaround in his fortunes.
He said: “This game was taken away from me for a few years there. And I miss competing, I miss playing.
“Now I have an opportunity to do that again, and also to be able to share it with my kids.
“They don’t remember me enjoying the game of golf because all they remember is Daddy on the ground in pain.
“And so now golf brings me so much joy, they’re able to see that. And if it brings a smile to their faces, it brings a smile to my own.”
Reminiscing about the moment to American newspaper USA Today, Woods was still bowled over by his achievement a year later.
He explained: “It’s crazy that somehow it all came together for one week, one magical week, and to have so many things go right that week, and that’s what you have to do in order to win an event.
“But to do it there, there’s so many little things that have to go right. I’ve been fortunate enough to have done it four previous times, but last year was just an amazing week.”
CAR ACCIDENT
Tiger admitted that the Masters win had taken a lot out of him physically, mentally and emotionally.
But, what he needed for his next chapter, was courage and strength to get through his most testing time.
Back in February, Woods was driving his 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV on a Los Angeles road when it crashed into a tree and began rolling over.
The former world No1 was taken straight to hospital, where it was discovered he suffered significant injuries to his right leg.
He underwent emergency surgery – a rod was inserted to stabilise his tibia and femur bones.
A “combination of screws and pins” were also used to hold together the bones of his foot and ankle that were so badly damaged.
After three months in hospital, from being bed-bound to needing a wheelchair to cart himself around, Woods returned to his Jupiter Island mansion in Florida to recuperate.
‘LUCKY TO BE ALIVE’
Sitting in front of reporters and photographers, Woods opened up about the difficulties he faced as he recovered.
In a jovial mood, he joked: “I built a really nice house, but I didn’t realise how big it was until you start putting crutches on.
“There were times where I had to take breaks, but I tell you there’s a point in time where my triceps got pretty jacked, so that was a lot of fun.”
He confessed he knew he was lucky to be alive, as he spoke of the surgeries he went through.
“Those operations were one thing, that’s one level,” said.
“Then you add the back, that’s another level. And then with this right leg, that was … it’s hard to explain how difficult it has been just to be immobile for the three months, just lay there and I was just looking forward to getting outside.”
Woods added: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb.”
While he couldn’t commit to returning to Tour level, Woods expressed his wish to look towards the future.
“This year’s been a year I would like to turn the page on,” Woods divulged.
“It’s been full of some tough memories and some tough times, but also some great times, too. But, again, it would be nice to turn the page.”
You wouldn’t put it past Tiger, alongside his prodigal son Charlie at the PNC Championship, to deliver another emphatic comeback and deliver another best seller.
