Tiger Woods made his highly anticipated return at the 2022 Masters. Another golf legend, Jack Nicklaus, provided insight into Woods’ decision to play a year after sustaining injuries in a car crash.
“He says, ‘You know, I know I’m gonna hurt. The doctors told me I’m gonna hurt. I accept that. What am I gonna be next year? And [the doctor] says, ‘You’re still gonna hurt.’
“He said, ‘Well, why in the world would I wait a year to play if I know I’m gonna hurt both years? Why don’t I just get back and start playing and just suck it up?’
With all due respect to Nicklaus, who still holds the all-time record over Woods with 18 majors wins, may fans labelled Tiger the greatest golfer of all time.
There’s also hope that Woods can complete his harrowing recovery by climbing back to the sport’s mountaintop.
Woods finished 47th with a 6-over at Augusta National, but his return was still a feel-good moment after a near-fatal car accident. He needs three more major triumphs to match Nicklaus, who earned his last victory when winning his sixth Green Jacket in 1986.
Nicklaus’ record is likely safe. Yet, as he told Dethier regarding Woods, it’s nevertheless “great to have him back in the game.”
