Despite surgery, the Tiger tale probably doesn’t include another comeback

Join the Club by John Patrick Powered by Bonaventure Discount Golf We learned last week that Tiger Woods had surgery. I know, I’ve lost count too. This was microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement in his lower back. You know, the issue he never told us he was having. He hopes this will eliminate the back spasms and pain he never told us he was having. Now, don’t misunderstand me. I believe everyone is entitled to keep their health issues to themselves. I just have a couple of issues when, one, he’s asked about his health every time he’s interviewed, and two, we don’t hear anything until there’s a public announcement about having surgery. If you’re going to keep the affliction to yourself, don’t tell us about the surgery. It would lead us to ask, next time we have the chance, to ask what he might not be telling us. I believe this surgery is another attempt to improve his quality of life. Allow him to move about without pain and discomfort. Maybe even play more golf with Charlie. I wish him many years of being able to do that. What I do not expect is to see him truly compete and possibly win again on the PGA Tour. I, like many since his Masters win five years ago, was hoping to see a resurgence later in his life and career. I’ve come to the conclusion, that ain’t happening. I understand why I thought it might. I’ve been witness to many of the incredible things he’s pulled off on the course. Just when you thought he was out, he’d make that incredible comeback. Again and again, and again. So naturally, I wasn’t going to be surprised when he limped home to another victory or two. It’s not happening and it’s not happening for a variety of reasons. First and foremost - his health. He can’t battle for four days over 72 holes on most golf courses. He’s also, because of his health, unable to prepare as he would like and needs to compete. It’s also easy to forget that at the end of this year, he’ll turn 49-years-old. The Tour isn’t littered with too many winners of that age. What might we see moving on? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him attempting to compete in some of the PGA TOUR Champions Tour events after he turns 50. Maybe not the week-to-week tournaments, but I fully expect him to give it a go at the US Senior Open. Another national championship and another USGA event. So, if you’re one of the many fans just waiting for his renaissance, I get it, I was one of you. I’m just afraid you’ll be waiting a long time. These days, when I think of Tiger, I think of the words of Theodore Giesel, Dr. Seuss… “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened” John Patrick, Columnist