Tiger Woods doesn’t want to leave like this.
As the golf icon continues to recover from Tuesday’s crash outside Los Angeles, Woods realizes that his link career could be in jeopardy, People reported.
“He doesn’t want his career to end like that,” said a source close to the 45-year-old on Wednesday. “So, if there is any way he can continue playing golf, he will.”
Woods, who underwent back surgery to remove a fragment of disc by cutting a nerve after the PNC Championship in December, is “frustrated” by his most recent seemingly unstoppable career setback.
He also wants to get back to the greens as soon as possible if he is physically capable, the source said.
“He expected 2021 to be the year of his return,” continued the source. “Obviously, this is not going to happen now. And that is disappointing for him. “
But Woods – who has undergone nine previous surgeries over the course of his career – thinks he can add yet another dramatic return to his already imposing resume, the source said.
“This is a huge setback and he knows it is a huge setback,” the source told People. “But he has overcome the obstacles of the past and thinks he can do it again.”
Woods was conscious when he was pulled out of the front windshield of a luxury 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV that crashed on a problematic downhill stretch of road in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva characterized the accident as “purely an accident” and dismissed criminal charges against Woods.
“He was not drunk,” said Villanueva on Wednesday. “We can throw this out.”
If Woods returns to golf, he will try to break his record of 82 wins on the PGA Tour and extend his 15 major championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus.
Woods has no memory of the accident of a single vehicle, which left him with a broken right leg. Doctors also inserted a rod into his leg and placed screws on his foot and ankle, according to a statement posted on Twitter.
Meanwhile, an orthopedic surgeon at a California hospital told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that rods, screws and pins like those used to stabilize Woods are likely to remain in the patient’s body for the rest of their lives.
“My expectation is that I wouldn’t expect him to walk around for a while,” said Dr. Gregory Tennant, from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana, to the newspaper.
Tennant, who is not treating Woods as he recovers at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said the accident could affect his often-tormented back.
“Trauma is never really an isolated event,” Tennant told the newspaper. “It is not uncommon to identify injuries – even significant injuries – days later, when the initial high-energy injuries are treated.”
But betting on Woods’ return would be foolhardy, the surgeon suggested.
“Tiger Woods was a winner all his life, and one thing I learned is that you don’t bet against winners,” said Tennant. “You don’t bet against Michael Jordan. You don’t bet against Tiger Woods. “