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‘I’m lucky to be alive’: Tiger Woods speaks out after harrowing car accident
Golfing legend Tigers Woods says he hopes to return to professional golf but has ruled out ever competing full-time
The 15-time major winner is recovering from a life-threatening car accident that left him fearing he would lose his leg. Woods addressed the media at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, where he is hosting for the week.
Tiger Woods’ future
Woods was involved in a single-car accident in California on February 23, leaving him wheel-chair bound and his future unknown.
He spent three weeks in the hospital, then three months in a hospital bed at home.
There are very few details surrounding the finer details of the incident other than that speed was a factor.
The police report revealed Woods had been traveling at almost twice the legal speed limit when he crashed. But he was later cleared of being impaired by drugs or alcohol.
He needed surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg and injuries to his foot and ankle and feared that his right leg might be amputated.
“I’m lucky to be alive but also still have the limb,”
“Those are two crucial things. I’m very grateful that someone upstairs was taking care of me,
that I’m able to not only be here but also to walk without a prosthesis.”
“I don’t foresee this leg ever being what it used to be,”
Tiger Woods, American Professional Golfer
The Denver Post
After months of uncertainty and time away from the public eye, Woods has reassured fans he will return to professional golf, but not on a full-time basis.
He does not know when he will return to the PGA Tour but said he would love to compete in the British Open in July.
“For him to be back at the highest level of competing on the PGA Tour, is going to take a lot more work…”
“The gulf swing isn’t really the issue right now for him…
Him walking 72 holes; that’s going to be the problem for him moving forward.”
Todd Lewis, Anchor Golf Channel, NBC
A recent post to Twitter has gone viral with over 7 million views which shows Woods’ swinging the golf club, captioned “making progress.”
Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021
Looking forward to a great week at Albany for the #HeroWorldChallenge! pic.twitter.com/LpNT6ClZ4j
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 30, 2021
Tiger Woods is bound to make the most of his climb. pic.twitter.com/ROWRnN40kF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 30, 2021
Hopes are high
There are doubts cast over Woods’ ability to bounce back, and clearly slowing down will mean a major career paradigm shift for the golfing legend.
Although his full-time schedule might be over, for now, there are no limits to what the sporting star can do, after all, comebacks have defined his career.
“He’s going to be 46 years of age… He has a lot of obstacles in front of him…
Many people have counted him out before and he’s obviously proved them wrong,
so there is optimism that he can come out and play at the highest level.”
Todd Lewis, Anchor Golf Channel, NBC
Hearing @TigerWoods say, "I won’t have the opportunity to practice. It’s going to have to be a different way of doing it. And that’s OK, I’m at peace with that. I’ve made the climb enough times." Tells me he’s proud of what he’s done but living healthy not winning is priority.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) November 30, 2021
Lee Elder: A hero in society
The first African American golfer to play in the Masters Tournament, Lee Elder, has died at the age of 87 years of age. Elder broke down racial barriers both on and off the golf course.
He was a known inspiration of Tiger Woods and paved the way for other people of colour to follow in his sporting footsteps.
The PGA Tour announced Elder’s death, with no cause of death given. It was known he had been in poor health and wore an oxygen tube beneath his nose.
“You could easily say he was a pioneer and an inspiration,
not only for Tiger Woods but for many people to play the game of golf.”
Todd Lewis, Anchor Golf Channel, NBC
https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30/status/1465419974604779520?s=20
Lee Elder has passed away at the age of 87.
He was the first black golfer to compete in the Masters and in 1968 became the first black player to feature on the cover of Golf Digest.
Read more on his incredible legacy and achievements: https://t.co/4PacPUZLKh pic.twitter.com/0fukQZPIZX
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) November 29, 2021
Lee Elder, R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/ClK9SERkZy
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) November 30, 2021
