It's not the first time. Not the second. It's the umpteenth. And, perhaps, the last. For now, the adrenaline of competing at the highest level is still capable of shaking the battered body of Tiger Woods (California, 1975), who on Saturday announced his participation in the Hero World Challenge that will be held from November 30 to December 3 in the Bahamas. Although it is not an official tournament, it belongs to the PGA Tour calendar and among the 20 participants there are six of the ten best players in the world, including the number one: Scottie Scheffler.
The former world number one, currently in the worst ranking of his career, beyond position 1,300, has not competed since last April, when he withdrew before the third round of the Augusta Masters. Two weeks later, he underwent surgery to resolve problems in his right ankle resulting from the very serious car accident suffered at the beginning of 2021. As has been the usual trend throughout his career, these last few months have been full of secrecy around his figure, with withdrawal always stalking the conversation. But as has also happened other times, this new return will not have caught by surprise anyone with a bit of a 'Sherlockian' sense of smell. First, a video in September hitting putts. Then, another video giving balls in October and the publication of the participants of the Hero World Challenge, a tournament that should not be forgotten organized by its foundation, leaving a free place for a 'guest'. Seeing him caddying for his son just a couple of weeks ago, walking 54 holes with his bag on his shoulder in a student tournament held in Florida, was the definitive clue. Tiger still hasn't said the last word about him.
The 15-time major winner has barely played five tournaments since the accident that almost took his life and, although he has made the cut in four of them, he has barely been able to finish the four rounds in two due to his serious physical problems, especially in the right leg. Just the fact that he feels strong enough to compete is already news for a golfer who, among other feats, won a US Open (2008) with a shattered knee and won a Masters (2019) after undergoing surgery four times in three years. of the back and spending months without being able to walk.
Although the thought of winning again has not left his mind, his simple presence in the Bahamas is a breath of fresh air for the world of golf.
