Woods might not play at high level again, says Butch
AS Tiger Woods left these parts for yet more medical examinations and consultations regarding his back, it was left to his former coach Butch Harmon to express the fears of an entire sport.
‘Right now, my concern is that someone I have admired for so long, and who I believe is the best player who ever lived, might not be able to play at any kind of level again,’ said Harmon.
Like everyone else, Harmon was shocked by what he saw at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where Woods looked for all the world like a man playing hurt in a first round 77 — he denied as much after the 18 holes — before withdrawing an hour before his second round tee-time, citing back spasms.
All the hope engendered by an encouraging performance before Christmas in an exhibition event in the Bahamas has evaporated completely, just three rounds into his competitive return after 15 months away following three back operations.
Former PGA Tour player, Brandel Chamblee, the lead analyst on America’s Golf Channel, believes Woods is showing all the signs of a golfer who has suffered another back injury through playing.
‘On Thursday he looked like the oldest 41-year-old golfer in the history of the game and look at the trends we see here — surgery, followed by rehab, followed by another injury,’ said Chamblee.
‘So it’s clear to me he’s causing himself further harm with his golf swing and he needs to change it.’
Agreeing with Harmon that Woods is the best player of all time, he added: ‘Maybe this is the end of his career. We’ve been blessed to have him in this game.’
Woods’ manager Mark Steinberg did not rule out the player being fit enough to play in the Genesis Open in Los Angeles in 10 days.
Meanwhile, the Desert Classic should draw to a compelling finish today.
A heavyweight collision is certainly in prospect between Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Open Champion Henrik Stenson from Sweden.
Garcia leads the Swedish star by three shots after a 68 put him on 16 under par.