Tiger Woods turns 40 next week and despite back problems that have plagued him the last two seasons, he wrote in a year-end column on his website that he is far from washed up.
In fact, he expects the golf world will see glimpses of the old, or rather, young Tiger.
“Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 years?” Woods asked rhetorically before giving an emphatic answer. “I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships.
“My foundation has been implemented around the globe, and we’ve helped out not just millions, but when I’m all said on done with my life on this earth, it will hopefully be billions.”
After winning three consecutive U.S. Amateur Championships, Woods left Stanford after his sophomore season at the age of 20 in August of 1996, and before the year was out he claimed the first two of his 106 professional victories by winning the Las Vegas Invitational and the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic.
Woods has 79 PGA Tour victories, three short of Sam Snead’s record, and 14 major titles, four short of Jack Nicklaus’ mark–although he has not captured a Grand Slam event since winning the 2008 U.S. Open in an epic 19-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines.
“I have been asked a lot lately how it feels to have played on the PGA Tour for 20 years,” Woods wrote. “I live in dog years since I turned pro in 1996, so that’s 140 years. It feels like 140, but also feels like five. It’s amazing how fast it has gone, but also how slow. I know it’s a contradiction, but that’s how it feels.
“Several things stand out. Number one, you have to go back to my first major win, which was the Masters in 1997. How I did it, winning by 12 strokes, was so special. And then winning four-in-a-row and owning the Grand Slam, something no professional golfer has ever done. Third would probably be my 142-consecutive cuts-made streak. Consistency for a long period of time … there’s a lot that goes into that. You have bad days, you have bad weeks, but to battle and endure and suck it up and get it done, I’m very proud of that one.”
Woods, recovering from his third back surgery in the last two years, gave no indication as to when he might play again, and last month he said doctors had not yet allowed him to begin a rehab program, other than walking.
However, he made it clear that he expects to play sooner or later next year.
“The thing I’m looking forward to the most about 2016 is getting back out there again,” Woods said. “I’ve missed it, and I would like to do it pain-free. I haven’t done that in what seems like a long time. I’ve had it in spurts the last few years and have done some pretty good things, but I’d like to have sustained health.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to play my way onto the Ryder Cup Team. Either way, I’m excited about being named a vice-captain. It will be new, fun and special. To have Davis (Love III) appoint and trust me is pretty special.”
If Woods is injury-free, there’s no reason he can’t win again. After all, the last time he was relatively healthy was in 2013, when he won five times on the PGA Tour.
There’s no way Tiger has forgotten how to get it done.
