Severe leg accidents in a February automotive crash ensured Tiger Woods received’t be taking part in on this yr’s Masters on the twentieth anniversary of his “Tiger Slam” victory at Augusta National.
But the 45-year-old celebrity, whose 15 main titles embody 5 Masters inexperienced jackets, can have his legacy felt throughout the famed format.
Woods is recovering at residence in Florida after struggling severe accidents when his automotive flew off the street and flipped a number of occasions throughout the Southern California accident.
Hours of surgical procedure have been required to restore his shattered decrease proper leg and ankle, together with a rod inserted into his tibia and the usage of screws and pins to stabilize the joint.
Woods, who received his most up-to-date main on the 2019 Masters, turned the primary black golfer to win a significant title when he captured the 1997 Masters in report style.
On Thursday, the Masters can pay tribute to the primary black golfer to play within the occasion when Lee Elder hits a ceremonial tee shot alongside traditional honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
“Lee was a pioneer. He was the one that broke the color barrier here and paved the way for players of color like myself to be able to play this event,” Woods mentioned about Elder.
“It’s ironic that he did it in ’75, I was born in ’75, and when I won in ’97, he was on the back of the green.”
“To have him as our Honorary Starter, it’s awfully special and important in the history of the event, but also for me personally, it’s probably even more special.”
Woods, whose 82 US PGA victories is degree with Sam Snead for the all-time report, faces an extended restoration and questions on his future. He was already recovering from a fifth profession again surgical procedure on the time of the crash, which investigators have described as “purely an accident” with no proof of impairment.
Woods accomplished a fairytale comeback from a number of again operations to win the 2019 Masters, an emotional victory that noticed him hug his youngsters the way in which he did he late father after his 1997 triumph.
An emotional Slam
But his most superb golf feat was seemingly the “Tiger Slam” when he received the 2000 US and British Opens and PGA Championship after which added the 2001 Masters to seize 4 main trophies in a row.
(*20*)“I’ve had some very special things happen to me,” Woods mentioned in 2001. “But I guess to win four consecutive majors, I don’t think I’ve ever accomplished anything this great.”
Woods, who was 25, recalled himself as “a little young, a little naive” for his 1997 victory however mentioned in 2001 “I understand. I’ve been around the block. I have better appreciation for winning a major championship, and to win four of them in succession, it’s just hard to believe.
“You’ve got to have your game peak at the right time. You’ve got to get some good breaks and you’ve just got to have everything kind of go right. And to have it happen four straight times, that’s awfully nice. Some of the golfing gods are looking down on me the right way.”
Woods turned emotional on the 18th inexperienced after victory was assured, placing his cap over his face to cover his emotions.
“It was just a weird feeling,” Woods mentioned in 2001. “When I didn’t have any more shots to play, that’s when I started to realize what I had done. I started getting a little emotional.”
