Washington:
The incredible golf profession of Tiger Woods, from two-year-old prodigy to his epic comeback 2019 Masters victory, was in jeopardy Tuesday soon after injuries suffered in a really serious solo auto crash.
The 45-year-old American, amongst the world’s most renowned athletes for the previous quarter-century, underwent surgery for many leg injuries following the early morning wreck close to Los Angeles.
It could imply the finish of a groundbreaking profession that has observed Woods win 15 key titles, 3 shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus, and 82 US PGA crowns, level with Sam Snead for the all-time mark.
Woods has faced a lot of prior troubles off the course, which includes many back and knee surgeries, the 2009 revelation of many affairs that led to an emotional public apology and divorce from wife Elin Nordegren plus a 2017 reckless driving incident.
Woods was recovering from 2017 back surgery when he was arrested for driving beneath the influence of alcohol or drugs, his mug shot drawing worldwide consideration. He stated he had not realized how prescription drugs he was taking may possibly interact and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
In the 1990s, Woods place himself alongside pal and NBA star Michael Jordan as two of the world’s most iconic sports stars and richest endorsement pitchmen, his fame going beyond golf lovers or sports fans.
Woods thrilled audiences with his talent as nicely as a winning charm and character, international audiences inviting him into their houses via tv every single week, whilst at the exact same time maintaining private specifics about his life.
Woods was the initial black winner of the Masters in 1997, hugging his father Earl soon after his historic victory in course record style.
In 2019, Woods would come off the exact same green at Augusta National soon after winning his initial key title due to the fact 2008 and hug his young children, Sam and Charlie, in a bookend moment to signal a completed return from back surgery Woods hoped would let him a standard life. It also gave him yet another likelihood at golfing glory.
Woods, who spent a record 683 weeks as globe quantity one, is 50th in this week’s globe rankings.
At age two, Woods charmed on a Television show with his placing talent. The kid prodigy was a 3-time US Amateur winner ahead of turning pro in 1996 with endorsement offers and a message: “Hello world.”
Woods won the Las Vegas Invitational in October 1996 to safe his spot on the PGA Tour and six months later delivered a 12-stroke victory for the ages at 21 at Augusta National for a green jacket and the start out of “Tiger-mania” interest that overwhelmed something golf had ever observed.
Woods had brought a youthful excitement and fitness emphasis unseen amongst golfers, delivering imaginative shotmaking and a significant-driving game that place him amongst the greatest champions the sport had ever identified.
– ‘Tiger Slam’ in 2000-01 –
He pulled off one of golf’s greatest achievements in 2000 and early 2001 with the “Tiger Slam” — winning 4 consecutive majors.
Woods won the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes, the greatest key blowout in history, then captured the Open Championship at St. Andrews to comprehensive the profession Grand Slam. He edged Bob May in a playoff at the 2000 PGA and captured the 2001 Masters to personal all 4 key titles at when, an unprecedented feat.
Woods won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines on a broken leg, downing Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff, and won six 2019 titles but lost a key for the initial time when major soon after 54 holes at the 2009 PGA Championship.
Three months later, soon after a low-speed crash close to his residence, specifics of added-marital affairs by Woods became public, major to an apology and divorce and a golf layoff till the 2010 Masters, exactly where he shared fourth and started to rebuild his profession.
Woods would not win once again ahead of 2012 at Bay Hill. He won 3 titles in 2012 and 5 in 2013, but back discomfort started limiting him and it would take 4 operations and 5 years ahead of Woods won once again at the 2018 Tour Championship, setting the stage for his 2019 Masters victory.
With his most current triumph at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan, Woods matched the late Snead for the US PGA all-time win record.
After serving as a playing captain for the triumphant 2019 US group at the Presidents Cup in Australia, Woods shared ninth at Torrey Pines, his ideal 2020 finish.
In final year’s majors, Woods was 37th at the PGA Championship, missed the reduce at US Open and shared 38th at the Masters final November in his most current tour outing.
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