Those who’re avid golf followers and eager college students of the historical past of the sport will know that American legend Ben Hogan recovered from a near-fatal automobile accident in 1949 to dominate the game, as he had began to do earlier than the mishap.
It could be an excessive amount of to anticipate Tiger Woods’ return to lively golf at The Masters to observe the same script. The winner of 15 Majors escaped along with his life however did not keep away from critical damage, in a high-speed automobile crash in California early final 12 months. Doctors have been even mentioned to be contemplating amputation of his proper leg at one stage. This together with the a number of different accidents and surgical procedures, in addition to private scandals – to not point out his supreme capacity and sense of event – has ensured that Woods stays the most important speaking level and crowd-puller in golf, whether or not he swings a membership in anger or not.
Hence, when he tees off at Augusta National on Thursday, he would have once more introduced even informal followers to the sport despite the fact that logic dictates {that a} rusty sport and a physique not recently used to the bodily rigours of Major championship golf can be drawbacks too huge to beat.
After all, Thursday can be 508 days since Woods was formally in competitors. He had himself conjectured that his time of day-in, day-out excellence was up to now.
What gives added poignancy to Woods’ participation on the 2022 Masters is that it’s going to mark 25 years since he introduced his arrival on the high of golf by successful the 1997 version.
Big crowds arrived at Augusta on Monday simply to observe him play a follow spherical, accompanied by the unmistakable ‘Tiger’ roars.
Tiger Woods gallery on 18 … for a follow spherical. pic.twitter.com/EHWp7VXwO3
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 6, 2022
No self-doubt
Woods has by no means been wanting confidence so far as his golf sport is anxious. When requested within the lead-up to the Masters if he thought he might win, the reply got here in two phrases: “I do.”
He has a historical past in proving individuals flawed. Just three years in the past, he wrote probably the most compelling chapters in sporting historical past by claiming his fifth Green Jacket when most thought his finest days have been behind him.
But the large query can be whether or not Woods can stroll across the undulating Augusta terrain with no golf cart at his disposal. There was a time when something apart from a W was a giant disappointment for him. For lesser mortals, making the weekend minimize on the Masters is a giant achievement. Fair to say, within the backdrop of no matter Woods has gone via in recent times, teeing off at Augusta 2022 can be one in every of his greatest victories.
Contenders
Though the excitement has nearly completely been about Woods, there are a selection of gamers who could be holding practical aspirations of donning the coveted Green Jacket come Sunday night.
Scottie Scheffler just isn’t a family identify, however is the world’s No.1-ranked golfer. He received the current WGC-Match Play Championship, which propelled him to the highest spot. The American has been in wonderful type of late with three victories, however his document within the Majors just isn’t one thing to put in writing dwelling about… but.
Australian Cameron Smith received the Players Championship – typically known as the fifth Major – final month, denying India’s Anirban Lahiri in a memorable end. He has been shut earlier than at Augusta, and this might be his time.
Brooks Koepka has 4 Major titles – however no Masters but. He is at all times a secure guess to go deep within the huge tournaments.
Justin Thomas is a Major champion and is at all times there or thereabouts. Collin Morikawa already has the PGA Championship and The Open in his trophy cupboard and the younger American could be hungry so as to add to his tally.
Spaniard Jon Rahm and Norway’s Viktor Hovland would be the primary European hopes, based mostly on present kind, with Rory McIlroy struggling to place 4 high quality rounds collectively.
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama has had a again damage of late that compelled him to skip the lead-up tournaments.
No Phil
Woods’ most distinguished rival for an extended stretch of their careers, Phil Mickelson can be giving the Masters a miss.
The left-hander has been within the eye of a storm over his feedback concerning the proposed Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League. His diatribe towards the PGA Tour has additionally not made him a favourite among the many {golfing} institution.
Last 12 months, Mickelson turned the oldest man to win a Major Championship by prevailing on the PGA Championship at nearly 51 years of age. But his hitherto clear picture of a fan favourite has taken a giant beating over current months, prompting him to take a break from the sport. ‘Lefty’, as he’s nicknamed, has three Green Jackets in his possession, however could not have been in the precise way of thinking to play at his finest.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
