Woods vows to keep moving
YOU have to give it to Tiger Woods. Despite finishing last in the just-ended Masters, he still managed to put up a façade of tranquility, of firmness in spirit. Calm as a river that runs deep.
The Masters is the most venerated golf tournament in the world, the most coveted by aspirants of the game. It is described as the “Vatican of golf” by the eminent Jim Murray.
Woods made Masters history, dubiously, by landing 60th among 60 survivors from the starting field of 89 at the Augusta National in Georgia. Scottie Scheffler won it a second time in three years.
But how can someone as decorated as Woods (a record 82 Professional Golfers Association Tour titles) wind up dead last?
It’s like believing Judas never betrayed Jesus.
How can Woods stumble in an event he had won so wondrously five frigging times?
It’s like seeing Lebron James score zero in a crucial Lakers game.
And how can a 15-time majors champion like Woods see himself suffer the ignominy of eating an entire field’s dust this late in his career?
It’s like seeing seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher bring up the rear in the Monaco Grand Prix.
As if Tiger Woods is no living legend gardemit!
In 1997, he won the Masters by a record 12 strokes, a * feat that prompted 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus to say, “There’s the dude out to break my record.”
Woods would win the Masters back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, repeating his victories in 2005 en route to pocketing a total of 14 majors, the major run ending somewhat in 2008.
Johnny Miller, another legend from another era, then said: “Woods will never win again.”
Wrong.
In a stunning comeback, Woods won the 2019 Masters to end his 11-year majors drought.
With that win, he appeared on the way to a second wind—until that single car crash in 2021 that nearly got his right leg amputated.
He seemed still unwell, his leg—and even his hip and back—sewn with wiring, screws, nuts and bolts that he has become “The Terminator” more than man.
He didn’t finish Masters 2023, quitting after seven holes in the third round “due to hurts and pain” after tying Gary Player and Fred Couples for making the cut 23 consecutive times.
He made the last Masters weekend two strokes away from the cutline for a record 24th progression, and declared “I feel I can win again”—even if he was 8
shots away from the leader.
Not quite.
His 82 in the third round—his worst ever in any tournament—did him in.
After a last-round 77 for a career-worst of 304 total, Woods, the 11-time PGA Player of the Year, said: “It was a good week.”
Appearing undaunted, he added: “I’m just going to keep lifting, keep the body moving, keep the motor going…”
Nicklaus was 46 when he won the 1986 Masters—his 18th and final major win.
Woods is 48. Not that old, really.
Just needs to become man again and discard his “The Terminator” cloak.
THAT’S IT Happy birthday today, April 17, to my fellow golf rulesman, Jake P. Ayson, and to our family doctor, Lito Durante. Jake is 82 and Doc Lito 80. But, hey, they move and look 50—if not 49. As my good neighbors, they are also my regular glass-mates—as perennial as grass. Here’s a glass to friendship that’s mightier than the tallest tree in Sierra Madre. Cheers!