Woods withdrew from the tournament midway through the first round, walking off TPC Sawgrass after the ninth hole - and after shooting 42 on those first nine holes - with leg injuries. The Associated Press' Doug Ferguson wrote of Woods' demeanor during those nine holes:
(Woods) constantly walked some 20 yards behind his playing partners, holding his club for support, limping more noticeable with each hole.
Woods withdrew from last week's Wells Fargo Championship a week before that tournament, citing "minor injuries" to his left knee and Achilles' tendon. After Thursday's withdrawal, Woods said he felt bad from the opening tee shot.
"... the knee acted up and then the Achilles followed after that and then the calf started cramping up," Woods said. "Everything started getting tight, so it's just a whole chain reaction."
When asked how bad the pain was, Woods replied, "I'm having a hard time walking."
Woods said the knee and Achilles had been sore on practice days, but not too bad, and that he felt OK during warmups before Thursday's round. But "then as I played, it progressively got worse."
Tiger said he was suprised at this result today - "The treatment's been good. It's been getting better" - and admitted he has some worries now.
Obviously, we'll have to wait and see what kind of prognosis Woods gets from the doctors in the coming days (if he chooses to share that information). And obviously, this is one more negative development in Woods' career, which recently has been chock full of negatives.
How worried are you about Tiger's future on the golf course? Do you foresee Woods ever regaining his former position atop the golf world, or do you think a continued decline is in store?
Comments
You asked, “How worried are you about Tiger’s future on the golf course? Do you foresee Woods ever regaining his former position atop the golf world, or do you think a continued decline is in store?”
I’m not worried about Tiger’s future at all, I have my own game to worry about. I do believe that Tiger should be worried about his game and his body.
The age of the dominate Tiger is over and I for one am glad. I didn’t like Tiger when he was dominating and I like him less now, seems more reclusive and even less fan-friendly (if that’s possible).
When I compare Tiger to the likes of Bubba and other next-gen golfers, well, there is no comparison.
The questions will be answered in the next 5 years or less and it will great to see what the second best major tally holder will do. When the scores roll we all look to see how well he went. I, for one, am looking forward to the constant sub plot in every golf tournament Woods plays in.
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