Does Tiger Woods Still Play Golf? Inside His Comeback Attempt From Devastating Leg Injuries

Will we ever see Tiger Woods return to professional golf again after career-threatening leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash?

Over two years later, Woods has still not played competitively as he continues recovering from extensive surgeries and rehabbing compound fractures in his right leg.

Woods maintains his desire to play again, but acknowledges the long odds he still faces. Let’s dive in to examine where one of golf’s all-time greats stands in his pursuit of yet another miracle comeback.

Tiger’s Comeback from Injury

An inspiring image unfolds the chapters of Tiger Woods' comeback from injury, a testament to his legendary resilience. The timeline composition weaves through moments of triumph and challenges, symbolizing his iconic golf career and the hurdles of multiple surgeries. Golf imagery blends seamlessly with medical symbols, portraying the fusion of determination and recovery. A poignant visual captures Woods' statement, 'I’m not looking to win this week; I just want to get through this week and assess how my body is feeling,' emphasizing the measured approach to his return. The image mirrors the tenacity and spirit of Tiger Woods' journey, inviting viewers to witness the remarkable narrative of one of golf's greatest champions

Tiger Woods is considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all time. Over his legendary career, Woods has battled through various injuries, perhaps most notably multiple knee surgeries earlier in his career along with spinal fusion surgery in 2017.

The spinal fusion was Woods’ fourth back surgery, intended to alleviate pain that had plagued him for years.

The surgery proved successful, though Woods still faced a long recovery and rehabilitation process before returning to professional golf.

He would spend over nine months focused on recovery and slowly resuming golf activities under medical supervision before making his return.

In November 2017, Woods announced he would be returning to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, though he cautioned expectations should remain tempered.

“I’m not looking to win this week,” Woods said prior to the tournament. “I just want to get through this week and assess how my body is feeling.”

Performance Since Returns

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Woods showed promise in his return to golf at the end of 2017, but expectations were still measured as he continued to focus on listening to his body above all else.

“I’m trying everything I possibly can to play next season,” Woods said. “All the rehab stuff, all the strengthening stuff has all been geared towards that.”

The 2018 season marked Woods officially returning to a more full-time tour schedule after recovering from spinal fusion surgery. Early signs were encouraging – Woods posted top 25 finishes in his first three starts and appeared healthy and competitive.

As the year went on Woods continued to show moments that reminded fans of his greatness, but did not find a victory as he managed his schedule around remaining healthy for the long haul.

The year 2019 started much how 2018 ended – Woods competitive at times but seeking the winning touch. That would all change when Woods captured his fifth green jacket in dramatic fashion at the 2019 Masters for his first major championship in 11 years.

The win marked a significant comeback for someone many had written off from ever winning another major or tournament.

While the Masters victory captivated audiences, the remainder of the 2019 season was frustrating for Woods.

He failed to contend in the year’s final three majors and was again plagued by oblique and knee issues that led to an indefinite break towards season’s end to address physical concerns.

The Car Crash and Latest Injuries

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In February 2021, Woods was involved in a serious single-car rollover accident that resulted in devastating leg injuries and questions if he would ever play professional golf again. Emergency personnel found Woods trapped in his vehicle upon their arrival.

He was rushed into emergency surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to treat compound fractures impacting both the upper and lower portions of Woods’ right leg, along with additional injuries to his foot and ankle.

In the hours and days following the crash, details emerged about the severity of Woods’ leg injuries and the long road he faced in any recovery attempt.

Along with comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower sections of Woods’ right leg, he sustained damage to his foot and ankle complex including trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg.

This required emergency surgery to stabilize by inserting a rod into his tibia, and the use of a combination of screws and pins to stabilize injuries to his foot and ankle.

Woods faced extensive surgery, recovery and rehabilitation following the crash. Secondary procedures and monitoring for infection in the aftermath of the initial emergency surgery and treatment further complicated Woods’ hopes of returning to competition.

As Woods recovered from surgery, speculation continued surrounding if and when golf’s biggest star could return to playing professionally.

What We Know Today About Tiger’s Status

A visually evocative image narrates the current chapter of Tiger Woods' journey, highlighting the unresolved questions and unwavering determination in his pursuit of a potential return to professional golf. Visual elements delicately portray the challenges and flickers of progress in his recovery, incorporating glimpses from the PNC Championship and rare public appearances. Moments from the exhibition match with Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth capture both struggle and determination. The composition reflects the ongoing rehabilitation, maintaining a nuanced sense of hope amid persistent uncertainties. This visual representation aligns with the introspective and cautious tone of the article, offering a glimpse into the complex emotions surrounding Tiger Woods' status in the world of professional golf

Now over two years removed from the devastating car crash in early 2021, considerable question and uncertainty remains around Tiger Woods’ future in professional golf.

While Woods has been spotted occasionally at tournaments supporting fellow golfers, he has not competed professionally since hosting the 2020 PNC Championship with his son prior to the accident.

In rare public comments, Woods has maintained his desire to continue rehabilitating with the goal of potentially returning to competition on the PGA Tour.

“I wish I could tell you when I’m playing again,” Woods said in May 2022 at Southern Hills during the lead up to the PGA Championship.

“I want to know, but I don’t. My golf activity has been very limited. I can chip and putt really well and hit short irons very well, but I haven’t done any long stuff seriously.”

More recently in December 2022, Woods played a made-for-TV exhibition match alongside Rory McIlroy and the emerging stars Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Woods mostly struggled during the event, but did make some solid contact and gain momentum near the finish to beat McIlroy on the 18th hole.

While the moments of solid contact during a casual round with friends sparked more conjecturing from fans, Woods downplayed reading much into it afterwards. “People have seen glimpses of me playing day-to-day at home,” Woods said, “but still a long way to go.”

So over two years out from the crash, Woods remains engrossed day to day in the recovery and rehabilitation necessary to sustain any hope of playing again at the game’s highest levels.

Fans catch limited glimpses via Woods’ social channels of his progress, but any return remains clouded by persistent uncertainty.

Legacy Secured, But Eyes Still on a Return

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The only certainty around Tiger Woods and professional golf is that his legacy is practically unmatched in the history of the sport. At age 47 and still recovering from traumatic leg injuries, Woods has nothing left to prove as a player.

He revolutionized the game during a dominant stretch winning 15 major championships between 1997 and 2008.

And yet, Woods continues to dedicate himself towards what would be a miraculous recovery by any measure in order to continue competing on the PGA Tour.

While acknowledging the long odds, Woods still trains towards playing again: “It’s a struggle, there’s some really tough times and some days are a lot better than others,” Woods said when asked in December 2022 about the chances of returning.

“The only thing I can commit to is getting my leg and body better so that one day I can compete again.”

Golf fans and analysts continue to speculate if and when Woods may return. The reality, per Woods himself, lies in the continued rehab and recovery necessary before performance talk resumes.

“I have so far to go to get to that point,” Woods noted about potentially playing tournament golf again. “I’m not focused on that yet. I’m focused on each and every day trying to get just a little bit better and better.”

There’s no questioning Woods’ competitive fire and commitment to his rehabilitation effort. The talent and dedication on display during his prime years outlines why so many still cling to hopes of seeing him compete again, despite the daunting physical obstacles.

For now Woods keeps his head down, pushing his body incrementally while ignoring outside noise: “It’s been a very difficult year … but I’m hopeful.”

If or when Woods defies the odds in his path to recovery, golf and the world beyond will be watching.

Conclusion

Nearly two years removed from a devastating car crash that left his career in jeopardy, Tiger Woods continues to dedicate himself towards what would be a miraculous comeback.

While his legacy is set in stone as one of golf’s all-time greats, Woods persists in chasing his passion for competing at the game’s highest levels. Fans cling to hope that the Woods of old may emerge for one more victorious run.

But the long road of recovery and rehabilitation remains Tiger’s sole focus for now, one day at a time, keeping the world guessing if his final chapter has yet to be written.