Tiger zinda hai!

Shona Manco 

Chandigarh, September 24

After five years, the day everyone had been anticipating dawned.  Tiger Woods claimed his 80th PGA Tour title and it was like old times — the signature red T-shirt, arms raised in acceptance and that billion dollar smile, with people citing it as the greatest comeback in sporting history. 

However, it was a different Woods this time, one who struggled to fight back tears as he played the last hole. “This means a lot because the circumstances were different. I didn’t know if I’d ever be out here playing like this again,”  he said. Its been quite a ride for one of the greatest golfers of all time and the highest-paid sportsperson in the world. 

Woods started his career as a professional in 1996, winning his first Major championship, Masters, and achieving the world No. 1 ranking within a year. He held the ranking for a total of 683 weeks, a record number, more than any other player in history. He quickly became the first player to cross a billion dollars in earnings from the sport, endorsements etc. TV viewership and spectators doubled when Woods entered to play a tournament. However, golf is a tough sport, it humbled even Woods. 

After winning the 2007 Masters following knee surgery, he was hailed as superhuman after “winning on one leg” but he soon had another surgery on his knee, which set him back. He then struggled with his back, undergoing three surgeries in 19 months, and was ranked world No. 1,199 after a spinal fusion surgery in April 2017. Apart from these major problems, he has struggled with a hip injury and during the final round of the 2015 Masters a bone in his wrist popped out after his club struck a tree while hitting a shot, but he adjusted it and completed the round. As Woods himself put it, the lowest point was “wondering if I’d ever be able to live pain-free again.” 

On the personal front as his marriage ended, he started making news for the wrong reasons. In May 2018, horrible photographs of Woods were circulated, showing his arrest which led to him being charged with a DUI after he was found fast asleep at the wheel of his car with the engine running. He was paying the price of being famous. Others would have sat back to reflect on their glory but Woods ploughed along, hence writing one of the greatest comebacks in the sporting history. 

No wonder golfers everywhere are ecstatic about Tiger’s win and what he means to the game. Chandigarh golfer Ajeetesh Sandhu said: “I never doubted that he would be able to do it. What was impressive was the way he did it and how quickly he’s been able to come back.”

Digvijay Singh commented: “Welcome back to where you so rightly belong… Tiger zinda hai.”

“One of the greatest comebacks in sport? I’ll say yes... Serious back trauma cascading into mental issues, accompanied by personal upheaval,” said Prabhdev Singh, former editor, Golf Digest India. “Overcoming this deadly cocktail in a sport that is mentally challenging and now physically demanding, and doing it under the spotlight, is an achievement that will find few parallels.  Woods chose to announce his return at the Tour Championship with the best in the field. Quite a comeback.” 

Harjinder Kang, a leading amateur and referee, added: “It’s good to see him win again and I’m sure he’ll win a lot more tournaments now.”

For now, Tiger merely said: “I’m just enjoying being able to do this again.”