RORY’S TIGER FEAR
I hope surgery gives Woods a normal life, says McIlroy
RORY McILROY has expressed doubts that Tiger Woods will ever compete again after the former world No 1 was forced to have back surgery for the second time in two months.
Woods’ future has never looked more uncertain after the injury-plagued, 14-time major champion went under the knife again on Wednesday for a follow-up procedure to ‘relieve discomfort’ following a second back operation in September.
McIlroy, speaking after a third successive round of 67 took him to within one shot of the lead at the Turkish Airlines Open, said that his main concern was simply that Woods will be able to recover sufficiently to lead an ‘everyday life’.
‘It looks like it’s a long road to recovery for him,’ said McIlroy.
‘I just hope he gets better, not just to play golf, but just for everyday life; being able to do everyday things more than anything else. It’s not good to see.
‘That’s his third back surgery in a year and a half. Like someone once said, the best way to avoid your fifth back surgery is to avoid the first one. But it’s a procedure he needed. It’s tough. I just hope he gets better.
‘He has that mindset that he can overcome things and he’s overcome things before. So I wouldn’t put it past him. But I think it’s a long road ahead.
‘I’m not sure the players miss being beaten by him every week. But we were so lucky and so privileged to have him spearheading our sport for so long and to have a global icon like that.’
Woods cut short a miserable year on the course — he missed the cut at the US Open, Open Championship and US PGA and has plummeted to No 351 in the world rankings — by having an operation in September to relieve a pinched nerve.
His latest procedure was performed by Dr Charles Rich in Utah. Woods won’t put a date on his return to competitive golf, although Dr Rich said: ‘Tiger is doing well and we expect him to make a full recovery.’
Woods said: ‘It’s one of those things that just had to be done. I have an outstanding team of doctors and I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
The 39-year-old Woods has been beset by serious injuries in recent times and has not won a major since 2008.
‘My family and the fans’ concern and support have helped a lot,’ added Woods. ‘I’ll be back, and I’ll be ready to compete.’
McIlroy, however, made sure the world knows he really is back to his best after a miserable summer with two mighty blows in Turkey.
A monstrous drive over towering pine trees on the 13th hole at the Montgomeries Maxx Royal was followed by a pinpoint four-iron from 229 yards to just four feet, setting up an easy eagle putt.
That was ‘the spark’ for his round and the world No 3 is now right on the tail of the previously-runaway leader, South African Jaco van Zyl, who shot 70, and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, whose 67 gave him a share of the lead at 16 under.
McIlroy had been 10 strokes behind the South African at one point in the second round but the four-time major champion, 26, is now the hot favourite to win the first of the European Tour’s big-money Final Series.
‘I feel like I’ve played within myself for those 67s, so there’s a better round out there for me,’ said McIlroy. ‘I’m in a good position.’