Tiger Woods hasn’t played once since Xander | Sports News

Golf legend Tiger Woods has been absent from the skilled scene for practically a 12 months, fueling rumors of an impending retirement.

At 49, Woods’ legacy as one of golf’s biggest gamers is plain. With a report of 15 main titles, 82 PGA Tour victories, and 683 weeks on the prime of the world rankings, his place in historical past is secure.

Yet, this hasn’t stopped followers and fellow gamers from speculating about when he’ll dangle up his golf equipment, particularly given his latest dip in kind and accidents.

Colin Montgomerie prompt that Woods contemplate retiring after a much less than stellar efficiency eventually 12 months’s U.S. Open, the place he missed the cut. Speaking to The Times, Montgomerie expressed a nostalgic want: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him.

“There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he didn’t appear to take pleasure in a single shot, and also you suppose, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon and he will not take pleasure in it there both.”

“There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, however it’s very troublesome to inform Tiger it is time to go. Obviously, he nonetheless feels he can win. We are more reasonable.”

However, Xander Schauffele didn’t take kindly to these remarks, and leapt to Woods’s defence, emphasizing his importance to the sport: “Whether it is his sincere opinion or not, the sport of golf wants him [Woods], wants him desperately. Selfishly, I need him to play as long as doable. It simply helps all of the fellows out right here, simply with the quantity of eyeballs that somebody like Tiger Woods brings to golf.”

Woods himself contested Montgomerie’s stance when providing his insights on retirement during a pre-tournament press conference for last year’s Open Championship, stating: “Well, as a previous champion, I’m exempt till I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a previous champion, so he isn’t exempt. So he would not get the chance to make that call. I do.”

Despite his status, Woods did not make the cut at Royal Troon last July and hasn’t played since then. In September, Woods announced he had undergone a surgical procedure—microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine—to relieve “spasms and ache” experienced throughout 2024.

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Woods’ return was initially set for the Genesis Invitational in February, but the passing of his mother, Kultida, postponed his comeback. He expressed online: “I deliberate to tee it up this week, however I’m simply not prepared. I did my best to arrange, understanding it is what my mother would have needed, however I’m nonetheless processing her loss.”

Woods suffered a rupture in his left Achilles tendon during home follow periods, resulting in surgical procedure in March. This damage sidelined him from the Masters the next month.

The surgeon who carried out the operation additionally confirmed that Woods will probably be out of commission for all of this 12 months’s remaining majors, together with the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow taking place this week.

Over the years, Woods has claimed victory on the match 4 instances, with wins in 1999, 2000, 2006, and 2007. However, come Thursday, all eyes will probably be on Jordan Spieth.

The Texas-born golfer might doubtlessly comply with in Rory McIlroy’s footsteps by securing the profession Grand Slam. McIlroy clinched the Masters back in April, including the coveted Green Jacket to his assortment of PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship titles, making him solely the seventh man to win all 4 majors.