Can Tiger Woods continue to play like Tiger Woods?

on 06 20, 2009

Tiger Woods has long been the epitome of a winner. Unquestionably the number one golfer of this century, an argument could be made for Tiger being the athlete of the century as well. He has been on track to obliterate records for PGA events won, Majors won, and especially earnings accrued. He has vaulted his success in his sport to levels historically only lately imagined (Michael Jordan). The most amazing golf this writer has ever seen, last year’s U.S. Open Championship, is rivaled only by Michael Jordan’s game 5 Finals performance with the flu. Tiger has dominated every facet due to a competitive drive only rivaled by Jordan as well. Like Jordan also, he had the blessing of health bestowed upon him…..

Last year started off same old same old for Tiger, winning his first three and placing in the top five in all five tournaments. Unfortunately, during an arthroscopic knee surgery to remove cartilage, doctors found that his tibia was stress fractured and his anterior cruciate ligament was torn. The motion of a golf swing results in a large amount of stress being generated on the ACL, leading to stress tears. Surgery was necessary for Tiger, putting an end to that PGA season. While an individual can still walk with a torn ACL, stability lacks almost resulting with the possibility of the knee giving out at any time probable. The trick lies in the healing from the surgery. ACL surgery tends to require at least 8 months of recuperation that could span to over a year. However, this injury, in any sport, has a tendency to affect the individual throughout their career, either physically or psychologically.

Tiger is currently ranked #10 in the world, a feat coveted by golfers across the globe. This however is unsatisfactory for an individual in his shoes. He has won twice this year, the Arnold Palmer Invite and the Memorial Tournament, with a sixth place showing at The Masters. However, he has shown inconsistency in all facets of the game, possibly stemming from a decreased psychological belief in his ability. Will a player of his competitive nature be able to stay driven if he never gets back to his former level? Is the psychological affect causing the most damage, with re-injury a possibility on any swing? Will Tiger Woods fall down the cataclysmic path leading to him not destroying the record book? It will be interesting to see if Wood’s enduring commitment and self-discipline will trump his need to perform on the highest of levels.

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