The king of the greens took a first step towards his return this weekend. A video of Tiger Woods in practice, the first of the American with a golf club in his hand nine months after his car crash in California, was posted to his official Twitter account on Sunday, with the only comment “Progress in Classes “.
This video lasts only a few seconds, with Tiger seen from behind quietly hitting an iron shot, in front of a bucket of balls, on a golf driving range whose location is not specified. This image immediately sparked several thousand fan reactions, as Tiger has 6.5 million followers on Twitter. Some observers had announced after his accident that he would have a hard time playing golf at the highest level again.
Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq
– Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021
Justin Thomas, professional player and friend of Tiger Woods, immediately welcomed the return to the practice of one considered one of the best golfers of all time. Just after reassuring on Twitter how much he appreciated the passion shown by Rory McIlroy on Sunday on the European Tour, Thomas added, sharing the Woods video: “but I think I like it even more”. Justin Thomas had recently judged probable in a podcast the return on the greens of Tiger Woods. “I know he will try,” he said. “But, I don’t see him playing again if he can’t play well. “.
Timing not insignificant
The timing of this video is not surprising, however: the Tiger Woods Foundation just celebrated its 25th anniversary on November 18, and a charity tournament it is organizing in the Bahamas, the Hero World Challenge, is scheduled for early December with 20 invited among the best players in the world, including his compatriots Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Bryson deChambeau.
On February 23, Woods was driving her car at a “dangerous” speed of 140 km / h, nearly double the allowable limit, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff, when she got off the road before performing several barrels at Ranchos Palos Verdes. The 45-year-old former world number 1 suffered a broken right leg. That leg is in dark tights in footage aired Sunday in practice, but doesn’t stop him from hitting the ball properly.