(Reuters) – Tiger Woods is not any stranger to trials and tribulations and 2021 proved to be one other take a look at of his resolve after a severe automotive accident left the 15-times main champion in a wheelchair, going through doubts about his profession.
The 45-year-old, who gained the final of his majors at the 2019 Masters following a number of again and knee operations in addition to private issues, was close to having his leg amputated after he misplaced management and crashed in Los Angeles in February.
A recovering Woods, who is ready to return nL1N2ST1NC at this week’s PNC Championship and play with 12-year-old son Charlie, advised followers hoping he can have one other title tilt on the grandest phases that there was a way to go.
“Maybe in the future it will be adequate the place I can get out and compete in opposition to the greatest in the world once more,” Woods stated, including he hoped to play in the British Open in July.
Woods’ journey to the brink of a comeback was considered one of many inspiring tales this yr and if he wants reminding that point is on his facet he solely has to have a look at Phil Mickelson, who at 50 grew to become the oldest main champion together with his PGA Championship win.
It adopted Hideki Matsuyama turning into the first Japanese man to declare a significant with a one-shot Masters win at Augusta National whereas Collin Morikawa flew the flag for the younger weapons, sealing his second main at the British Open.
Morikawa ended the yr as the European Tour primary — the first American to accomplish that — with victory at the DP World Tour Championship.
CORONAVIRUS BLUES
COVID-19 continued to have an effect on gamers and a second an infection in two months cruelly denied U.S. Open winner and world primary Jon Rahm a shot at the Olympic gold medal, which American Xander Schauffele gained in Tokyo.
The virus earlier pressured Rahm to make a tearful exit from the Memorial Tournament whereas main by six strokes.
Bryson DeChambeau, who additionally missed the Olympics due to COVID-19, grabbed the headlines for his feud with Brooks Koepka earlier than the pair buried the hatchet to assist the United States seal a 19-9 Ryder Cup win over Europe.
Europe retained the Solheim Cup whereas Asian ladies excelled on the LPGA Tour as Patty Tavatanakit (ANA Inspiration) and Yuka Saso (U.S. Women’s Open) tasted main success and Ko Jin-young was named Player of the Year.
However, American Nelly Korda stole the highlight by profitable 4 tournaments — together with her first main at the Women’s PGA Championship — and the Olympic gold to high the world rankings.
Power hitters continued to wow followers, however in a transfer to curb them the Royal & Ancient and United States Golf Association stated organisers {of professional} tournaments might cut back the most size of golf equipment from 48 inches to 46 inches from January 2022.
The Asian Tour introduced a significant overhaul by introducing 10 occasions after inking a partnership with an organization backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, though the PGA Tour had but to grant waivers to members for the 2022 Saudi International.
Golf misplaced a number of names, none extra distinguished than 87-year-old Lee Elder, a champion of racial justice who in 1975 grew to become the first Black man to compete in the Masters, paving the manner for Woods and others.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
