Last season, Tiger Woods teed it up in three of the four major championships, making the cut at The Masters and the PGA Championship. Considering he had just recently recovered from a catastrophic injury as the result from his car crash in February of 2021, it’s difficult to view his season as anything other than a success.
The fact that Woods was able to make the cut at Augusta National and walk the course for four days was an encouraging sign, but things went downhill from there for the 15-time major champion. Tiger made the cut at the PGA Championship, but was limping badly during his third round, and withdrew after shooting 79 (+9), which was a career-worst score at the event. The injury kept him out of the U.S. Open and he then missed the cut at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.
At 46 years old, most people don’t expect Tiger Woods to contend in major championships at this stage of his career. But there are still some in the game who believe in Woods’ ability to overcome adversity.
At this week’s PNC Championship, Padraig Harrington was asked about Tiger’s chances going forward.
“I think he’ll win another Major. The way I looked at him, I genuinely think he will be in contention. And as I said, I’m sure he wishes every tournament he could play, if it’s like a Major, he’s going to have a chance.”
Harrington acknowledged that walking is still a major hurdle for Tiger, but believes if he can get to the back nine on Sunday he’s as dangerous as ever.
“He’s struggling, the walk. You know, I’m like that. I’m on the Champions Tour, I get to go in a cart, which is great. Tiger, if you can get him to the last nine holes of a tournament, I don’t think you’re going to have a problem,” Harrington said.
“And he looked good physically. As I said, he looked better at that match. So, you know, I’m not saying he “could be,” I actually believe he will be a danger.”
Part of the reason for the Irishman’s optimism is the fact that Tiger has improved so much on his ball speed.
“Saw the numbers. Looking at the speed numbers. So I want to go and see it in person and see.”
“Tiger, if he’s not in contention, I don’t know if he doesn’t lose interest, but when he got in contention in the Masters, everybody took note, as in the rest of the field took note. So, Tiger knows if he can get himself into position, that he’ll raise his game and put a little bit of pressure and stress on the rest of the field.
“I think he needs a little bit of physicality as in that ball speed. It’s just tough if you go out there against these young guys, there’s so many of them that they’re hitting it and they’re overpowering golf courses.
“If you’re not somewhat able to keep up there, initially, I don’t think I would – you’re not doubting Tiger being good down the last nine holes, but the little bit of extra speed will help him because in the first 63 holes, that the last nine holes, you know, who would want to be coming down the stretch against Tiger, all these young guys, you know.
“You know he’s capable of doing anything at that stage. And, yeah, I think he’s in a better position to get himself into that last nine holes.”
There’s still plenty of questions about Woods’ future, but with his horrific car crash now almost two years in the rearview, 2023 should give us a better glimpse as to what Tiger may be capable of from this point on.
