Tiger Woods to return as a golfer?
Even before the news on Wednesday that 15-time major champ had undergone yet another surgery to his right leg, which was nearly amputated following a single car accident in February 2021, it was a question that lacked a clear answer.
Tiger Woods underwent a subtalar fuse to his right leg to relieve the pain of the arthritis that developed following the accident. Dr. Bill Mallon is an orthopaedic doctor who played golf on the PGA Tour between 1975-1979. correctly predicted that Woods would develop arthritis in the area of the injury. Dr. Mallon, @bambam1729 shared a thread on Twitter that detailed Woods’ most recent surgery. He also noted that the same injury would have ended Woods career if it occurred in his left leg.
Tiger Woods underwent a subtalar fuse to his right foot to relieve the pain of the arthritis that developed following his car accident in January 2021. What is it, why was it done and what are the results? 1/n
Bill Mallon (@bambam1729) 19 April 2023
According to Dr. Mallon “the surgery is performed by depleting the joint surfaces of cartilage and roughening the ends of the bones, adding bone graft and stabilizing the fusion with screws or a plate and screw.”
Woods refers to his leg’s various plates, rods, and screws as “hardware”.
Woods said in his press conference held before the Masters tournament earlier this month, “I am very fortunate to have this left leg. It’s mine.” Woods said, “Yes, the leg had been altered, and there was some hardware inside, but it is still mine.” It will always be tough. My leg’s ability and endurance will never be the exact same. “I understand that.”
Woods laughed when asked about the amount of hardware in his bag and said, “There is a lot.”
Dr. Mallon says Woods won’t be able compete again for “at the very least six months to one year.”
Woods is expected to compete in three major events: the Hero World Challenge, December 2023, the PNC Championship, Dec. 15-18, 2023, and the Masters, April 2024.
Woods may be in a hurry to play either of these silly-season December tournaments, but they are both special to him. Woods’ TGR Foundation benefits from the Hero, while at the PNC he can with his son Charlie. Woods finished T-45 at the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational, which benefits his foundation. The Tour’s schedule is in flux as a result of the changes made to add designated events. It’s not known where Genesis will be on the schedule for 2024. The Masters is the only remaining event, and the five-time green jacket winner will be the one to find a solution for making the cut with minimal live tournament representation.
Fans should keep their expectations under control, wherever and whenever Woods returns. Woods’ ability to hit the shots necessary to be competitive with the world’s top players and make the cut has been demonstrated, but he also showed the toll that just teeing up can have.
