It has been a year since Tiger Woods almost lost his life on the side of the road near Los Angeles after driving over a median, through two lanes of oncoming traffic, and hit a tree. It had been over a month since Tiger, a two-part documentary on the golfer's life and struggles with addiction, had aired, reminding the public of both his enormous impact on the sport as well as his many missteps along the way.
There were no signs of intoxication after Woods was pulled out of the wreck. The steering wheel was undamaged, and the brakes had never been hit. He was taken to a hospital where his legs were in a lot of pain and doctors considered amputating his right leg.
The question of whether Woods would ever walk again was a valid one, but he and his son were playing side-by-side in a family tournament in December, where they finished second. He was able to use a golf cart to get around, which he wouldn't be able to do in professional tournaments, but just seeing him back out there has the world wondering when he'll be back.
The accident looked like it was the end of the career of the greatest golfer of all time, because he almost wasn't back. Even if it is what is best for his health, the same things that drove him to seek greatness will not allow him to throw in the towel.
Every interview he gives has a positive spin, and he seems better off mentally. He is grateful to be alive, he is lucky to have a leg, and he is great at spending time with his kids. He has a smile plastered on his face seemingly constantly, a stark contrast from some years, where he appeared exhausted and haggard during television appearances and public outings, and he is always at work to get better and regain his strength.
Tiger's mere presence at some tournaments has made bigger headlines than the play of the tournament, whether or not he actually participated. Even though Woods has had ups and downs throughout the past two decades, it has become clear that the game of golf relies upon him.
He announced that he was taking a break from the sport after he said that playing with the Saudis was a chance to stick it to the PGA. The backlash from Phil's comments combined with Tiger's announcement that he would be back on the PGA Tour, makes it difficult to say whether or not the Super Golf League will succeed. One wonders if there will be the same kind of forgiveness given to Mickelson by the golf community and the public.
While Woods and his 15 majors, second all-time to Jack Nicklaus, may not be quite ready to get back on the PGA courses, he is back in the spotlight as golf's shining star, the only question on everyone's minds. Even though Phil is one of the greatest golf players of all time, no one cares about him coming back from a self-imposed break.
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