Tiger’s Torn ACL Is Better Than Your Healthy One
June 19th, 2008 at 7:47 amBy Chris
If this is what you call faking, I can’t imagine how the same peanut gallery would describe Shaun Livingston’s knee mishap. Only a “minor injury,” perhaps? As most you already know, Tiger is shutting it down this particular PGA season in order to get the ACL in his left knee reconstructed.
When the reports first broke, there was some confusion as to whether or not Tiger would be at his next two scheduled appearances. In fact, they seemed to indicate Tiger would be fulfilling his obligations at those events. Fortunately, this has been cleared up.
Tiger is out for the year and probably won’t be swinging the clubs until 2009, a fact that has to have the PGA incredibly nauseous right now. It’s not easy seeing the deity of your sport shutting it down earlier than expected. However, can you imagine the marketing blitz they’ll have when Tiger returns next year? I’d say it will rival the Super Bowl’s.
Besides reconstructing one of Tiger’s left knee ligaments, the time off will allow Woods to heal a double stress fracture suffered a couple of weeks before his magnificent US Open win. Speaking of Torrey Pines, the news about Tiger’s left leg only magnifies just how incredible his performance really was. I mean, how many US Opens have you won with a good knee (and a non-stress fractured leg)?
If you are like most of us, that answer would be zero.
Here’s another question — how many 300-plus yard drives have you hit on two good legs? Again, if you are like most of us… well, you know the answer. But wait, there’s even more. ESPN compiled a list of Tiger’s accomplishments since his ACL was injured. It’s most impressive:
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational – Won
PGA Championship – Won
Deutsche Bank Championship – 2nd
BMW Championship – Won
Tour Championship – Won
Target World Challenge – Won
Buick Invitational – Won
Dubai Desert Classic – Won
WGC-Accenture Match – Won
Arnold Palmer Invitational – Won
WGC-CA Championship – 5th
Masters – 2nd
U.S. Open – Won
For those of you counting at home, that’s ten wins, two second place finishes and just to prove he’s (kinda) human, one fifth place finish. Talk about slacking.
Ten tour wins.
One good leg.
Is that even fair?
Is that something that’s even POSSIBLE — provided your name isn’t Tiger Woods?
Speaking as a fellow ACL reconstructee, I was happy when I could strike a soccer ball with some pace. I couldn’t imagine competing — let alone winning — ten PGA-style golf tournaments without it being whole.
I guess that’s why my name isn’t Tiger Woods and his is.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:44 am
It is unbelievable that Tiger could do so well with such injuries. How many UK basketball players were sidelined this past season with stress fractures? Yet, Tiger kept on going. Congrats on resuming your own soccer playing!
June 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
There is no bigger Tiger fan, than I. He has been great for the game of golf. I’m even a bigger fan of the game of golf. It is a sport you can do together with your family and at the same time enjoy beautiful scenery. Plus, get some exercise…..just say no to golf carts……and walk.
I hope that there is a player, on the tour, that can step up to excel during this Eldrick hiatus. We need competition for Tiger when he returns. I believe Tiger has risen the bar in physical and mental stamina on the tour. Let’s see who is up for the challenge. I don’t want to over simply what they do, but “Fairways Hit”, “Greens In Regulation”, and “Putts Per Round” should be the metrics the tour players monitor. I’m sure they do, but I don’t like to see them trying to get too cute with mind games on the course. Put the ball in the fairway, then on the green, and two putt. Maybe get 2 birdies per round, and end up around -8 par for a tournament….not too bad. Let’s go guys, now is your chance!
June 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Thanks for the congrats. As for Tiger, I’ve come to this simple conclusion: he’s not human. Not even close. He can’t be.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:53 am
The Onion has an interesting take on Tiger’s win:
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....ck_to_roll
Mocking Scott Van Pelt in the piece was icing on the cake.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
RE: The Onion
Brilliant.