CLAWS IN EFFECT
A look at Tiger Woods’ many injuries, from head to (almost) toe
Left elbow: Is seen shaking his left arm at the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open. Says he suffered an elbow strain while winning the Players Championship a month earlier. Misses next two tournaments.
Back: • Withdraws after 13 holes of final round of the Honda Classic on March 2, 2014, because of pain and spasms, then following week shoots 78 in final round at Doral, playing last 12 holes after a flare-up caused by hitting an awkward bunker shot. • Undergoes microdiscectomy surgery for a pinched nerve on March 31, 2014. • Plays in 16 tournaments over next two years, withdrawing twice, missing six cuts and winning none before having second microdiscectomy on Sept 15. 2015. His original plans to return in “early 2016” don’t materialize. When he plays Thursday in the Bahamas, it’ll be six days short of 15 months since his last action.
Glutes: Gets mocked for making curious comments about his backside at the Farmers Insurance Open in February 2015: “It is just my glutes are shutting off. I tried to activate my glutes as best as I could ... but they never stay activated.” Right achilles: Reveals at 2010 Masters that he tore his tendon in 2008, reinjured it in 2009 but played on it.
Lip: Is hospitalized overnight with cut lip that requires five stitches and a sore neck after crashing his SUV into a fire hydrant and tree on the morning after Thanksgiving 2009. He reportedly was being chased by wife Elin, with a golf club, two days after a report alleged he had cheated on her.
Neck: Withdraws from the 2010 Players Championship, originally citing a bulging disc. Later says it was an inflammation of the facet joint in his neck that caused tingling in his right side.
Left knee: • Has surgery in December 1994 to remove two benign tumors and scar tissue. • Has surgery in December 2002 to remove fluid inside and outside ACL and remove benign cysts. • Ruptures ACL while running on a golf course after the 2007 British Open. Continues playing and wins five of his last six tournaments, including the PGA Championship. • Has arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage two days after 2008 Masters. • Undergoes reconstructive ACL surgery in June 2008. Misses the rest of the season.
Left tibia: Suffers double stress fracture in leg in 2008 while dealing with his ACL injuries.
Left achilles: Hurts it at the 2011 Masters hitting from an awkward stance. A month later, withdraws from The Players Championship with sprains of the tendon and his left MCL. Misses the next two months. • Withdraws at Doral in March 2012 after 11 holes of final round due to left Achilles tightness.