Topline
Tiger Woods, considered by many to be one of the greatest golfers of all time, said Monday he will never play on the PGA Tour full-time again, in his first on-camera interview since a February car accident left the 45-year-old with multiple traumatic injuries in his right leg.
Tiger Woods said Monday the injuries sustained to his right leg will prevent him from ever playing … [+]
Key Facts
Woods told Golf Digest in an interview published Monday he recognizes the “unfortunate reality” that he will only be able to return to the PGA Tour in a limited capacity once he is further recovered from his leg injury, ruling out a miraculous comeback for the PGA Tour’s all-time career earnings and wins leader.
After suffering multiple open fractures and trauma to the muscle and soft tissue in his right leg, Woods said in the interview he initially thought it was close to a “50/50” chance the leg would need to be amputated.
Woods tweeted a video of himself swinging a golf club November 21 for the first time since the injury, fueling hope he was nearing a full return to golf, but he told Golf Digest that he’s “not even at the halfway point” of returning to competition.
Crucial Quote
Woods said of his return to golf: “I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one day—never full time, ever again—but pick and choose…. It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it…. As far as climbing the mountain again and getting all the way to the top, I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation of me.”
Key Background
Woods crashed his car in a single-vehicle accident February 23 while traveling almost twice the speed limit on a windy Los Angeles road, according to police. He spent three weeks at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles recovering from major surgery on his impacted right leg. This was the latest—and most severe—injury to derail Woods’ career, as he has undergone 10 surgeries to his back and lower body over the course of his career, including a rare spinal fusion surgery in 2017.
Big Number
$1.5 billion. That’s how much Woods has made in appearances, course design fees and endorsements since turning pro in 1996, according to Forbes estimates.
Further Reading
Exclusive: Tiger Woods discusses golf future in first in-depth interview since car accident (Golf Digest)
Tiger Woods suffers multiple leg injuries in single-car accident in Los Angeles (Golf Digest)
Tiger Woods Was Driving 84 Miles Per Hour Before Car Crash, Police Say (Forbes)
