Tiger Woods--Out for Year--Torn ACL

[RDF]

Okay--now we know he had a torn ACL and stress fracture of the tibia---how does his win in the US Open measure in terms of being one of the all time great performances? I know he said he tore the ACL last year running after British Open--but still come on-no matter how you view Golf--what he's done and specifically did this past weekend is one of the all time feats accomplished.

Also--I like how he didn't mention this until after the event--win or lose--he didn't use it as a crutch--and this is how true pros handle things--not like most of the chuckleheads who use the excuses prior to an event--so when they falter-they have the built in excuse.

[DanMcQ]

Pretty astounding performance given the injuries.

sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-woodsfuture&prov=ap&type=lgns

Woods did not say when he would have surgery. His swing coach, Hank Haney, said the recovery is typically six to eight months.

"He's been playing way less than 100 percent for a long, long, time," Haney said. "It has limited him a lot in practice. He's going to come back better than he's ever been."

Woods was last seen in public late Monday afternoon walking with a pronounced limp across Torrey Pines toward the parking lot, the U.S. Open trophy in his arms.

Upcoming surgery makes his 14th major title even more staggering -- despite the stress fractures, he managed to win a U.S. Open that required five days of flinching, grimacing and a long list of spectacular shots that have defined his career.

"Although I will miss the rest of the 2008 season, I'm thrilled with the fact that last week was such a special tournament," Woods said.

He won despite doctors telling him to rest.

Haney was with him in Florida when doctors told Woods the preferred treatment for the stress fractures was three weeks on crutches and three weeks of inactivity.

"Tiger looked at the doctor and said, 'I'm playing in the U.S. Open, and I'm going to win.' And then he started putting on his shoes," Haney said. "He looked at me and said, 'Come on, Hank. We'll just putt today.'"

[EasyEd]

It really galls me to say this but I'm with RDF on this one. Watching him grimmace in pain after every other shot and seeing that he won the Open in the process represents a really gutsy performance. In fact it would have been a fantastic performance if he had lost. Not sure how it compares with other sports events like playing football on a broken leg but it's right up there.
Having said that, Tom Boswell's column a couple of days ago when he compared it with the likes of storming Iwo Jima (or something similar) was insulting to those who suffered in battle. Why can't we give a sizable shout-out without someone going really overboard?

[Elvado]

Itis becoming readily apparent that until Tiger retires, there actually should be a "handicap"in every tournament he enters.

This Open, torn ACL; next year he drives with a Wiffle Bat.

Anything less is just unfair.

[RDF]

Boswell did that Ed? That is beyond DISGUSTING. I am referring to the hordes of athletes who have the "flu"--or "back spasms" going into games to cover their performance. For a man to compare an athletic event to soldiers in war--that is beyond moronic and he should be suspended or write a retraction. Risking one's life and playing a sport are completely different and if Mr. Boswell can't see the difference--he should retire.

As for Woods--the PGA is screwed until he returns. I mean who gives any legitimacy to the British and PGA winners this year with Woods out of the tournament? Who will care to watch? Let's face it--tv ratings are based on attracting those viewers who aren't avid but are intrigued by greatness--and I couldn't tell you who won a golf tournament in between the Masters and US Open. Now I won't care until Woods returns next year. It's one thing to "milk" an injury--but playing/winning as many tournaments as he did with a torn ACL and then doing so with that injury and 2 stress fractures--is amazing considering the guy had 13 majors already, and $800 million in bank.

To the Michael Jordan zealots who talk up the "flu" game as if he solved Middle East, cured Cancer, and created the Earth, this is what mental/physical toughness is about-and saying you have a "sore knee" and not disclosing the injury until after is beyond professional--it is a respect for his competitors and allowing himself to be criticized/judged without sympathy and most of the athletes today do just the opposite. See the NBA Finals where guys were leaving the court on wheelchairs and returning in 2 minutes or taking dives when someone would tie them up for a jump ball.

[theexorcist]

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/16/AR2008061602679.html

I'm assuming the offending language is "This week, he got his third U.S. Open title with -- in the ersatz "battle" of sports -- a battlefield cluster and a purple heart. It's miles from the real thing, but, for the son of a Special Forces soldier, a validation Woods has sought throughout his career, even if he may not have known it until now. "

Eh. Boswell caveated it enough. I personally think Boswell was trying to do the Father's Day link to Tiger's dad and found this to kind of work it in. It's less offenssive than it is really, really awkward.

[hifigator]

RDF, I can't speak for the masses, but I am still looking forward to the British Open. That is my favorite tournament of the year, and along with the Ryder Cup, my favorite golf events to watch. The fact that Tiger won't be there certainly opens up the race, but doesn't take any of the excitement out of it for me. All I really want is a competiive event with at least one American to pull for come Sunday morning -- that, and of course having the American win of course.

[Boz]

I am no Tiger Woods fan, but how can anyone do anything except have the highest respect for him after this. My Dad hates him and even my Dad said, "he just won't let himself lose."

19 extra holes on a bad wheel couldn't even slow him down. When Mediate began storming back on the back 9, I thought Tigger was done for sure. But he simply was not going to be beaten.

(But come on, Rocco. You can't par 18 two days in a row, man!)

I hate the media coverage of Tiger, but I am in nothing less than complete awe at the athlete himself. Big loss for the PGA not to have him for the rest of the season, but I won't think any less of the players who go out and win the last two majors.


Having said all of that, I do have a suggestion for the PGA. And this is not a Tiger slam, though it certainly would affect his game. Once upon a time, golfers used to be punished for not putting their ball in the fairway. The improvements in strength and equipment make this no longer the case. They can spray the ball pretty much anywhere and it doesn't really cost them that much. And sometimes, I think they intentionally spray it far and wide, since mostly it means they'll be hitting from spectator grass, which is so trampled down as to almost be like the fairway itself.

I think accuracy should be rewarded better, but how?

Simple. Bring out of bounds back into play...on EVERY hole.

I've played some courses where ten yards off the fairway takes you out of bounds, but there seems to be very little of it on any PGA course. You can hit the ball pretty much anywhere you want. (hell in the last couple of years, I've seen Tiger and Phil both hit balls off of roofs, with no penalty - well, Phil is his own penalty)

Every fairway should have about 5 yards of first cut rough on either side, then 10-15 yards (maybe a little more) of deep rough.

You go outside of that? Out of bounds, fella. Take your penalty.

I have no doubt that Tiger, as good as he is, could still win under such rules. But I think it would put a premium back on accuracy that has been missing from the PGA for much of my adult life.

[SFHoya99]

Well, I guess I'll catch golf back at next year's Masters.

[vcjack]

Pansy, rub some dirt on it!

That's what a true hero would have done like this brave warrior
i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/keith_potter/d-wade2.jpg

[DanMcQ]

How would you like to be poor Rocco, who lost to a one-legged man?

[Elvado]

Almost as bad as being Richard Kimble who took the fall for a one-armed man...

[moe09]

There's really nothing to say about Woods' performance except that it was simply incredible. The guy is unbelievable. Wow.

[The Stig]

Jun 18, 2008 16:54:48 GMT -5 DanMcQ said:

How would you like to be poor Rocco, who lost to a one-legged man?

Hey, he did better than the rest of the field. Woods didn't even need a playoff to beat them!

Classy stuff as always from Tiger. He could have been whining about his injury all week and used it as an excuse, but he kept his mouth shut and played through it.

[theexorcist]

The really surprising thing was that Woods' announcement led off the CBS Evening News (really, without Katie Couric there this week, it's not that bad).

[EasyEd]

Jun 18, 2008 18:47:52 GMT -5 theexorcist said:

The really surprising thing was that Woods' announcement led off the CBS Evening News (really, without Katie Couric there this week, it's not that bad).

Sexist. Bet you hate Hillary too. Oops, am I talking about me?

[AustinHoya03]

Jun 18, 2008 11:29:56 GMT -5 RDF said:

how does his win in the US Open measure in terms of being one of the all time great performances?

To answer RDF's question, I cannot recall a better performance in a major tournament during my lifetime.

It is appropriate that Tiger passes Ben Hogan -- who famously limped through the 1950 US Open months after a serious auto accident -- with this win.

[DFW HOYA]

No less impressive, this statistic:

In 2008, Woods competed in seven tournaments. How did he do? Seven top ten finishes, five championships and a runner-up at the Masters, all on a bad knee--the fracture came after the Masters.

[RDF]

Jun 18, 2008 14:58:59 GMT -5 Boz said:

I am no Tiger Woods fan, but how can anyone do anything except have the highest respect for him after this. My Dad hates him and even my Dad said, "he just won't let himself lose."

19 extra holes on a bad wheel couldn't even slow him down. When Mediate began storming back on the back 9, I thought Tigger was done for sure. But he simply was not going to be beaten.

(But come on, Rocco. You can't par 18 two days in a row, man!)

I hate the media coverage of Tiger, but I am in nothing less than complete awe at the athlete himself. Big loss for the PGA not to have him for the rest of the season, but I won't think any less of the players who go out and win the last two majors.


Having said all of that, I do have a suggestion for the PGA. And this is not a Tiger slam, though it certainly would affect his game. Once upon a time, golfers used to be punished for not putting their ball in the fairway. The improvements in strength and equipment make this no longer the case. They can spray the ball pretty much anywhere and it doesn't really cost them that much. And sometimes, I think they intentionally spray it far and wide, since mostly it means they'll be hitting from spectator grass, which is so trampled down as to almost be like the fairway itself.

I think accuracy should be rewarded better, but how?

Simple. Bring out of bounds back into play...on EVERY hole.

I've played some courses where ten yards off the fairway takes you out of bounds, but there seems to be very little of it on any PGA course. You can hit the ball pretty much anywhere you want. (hell in the last couple of years, I've seen Tiger and Phil both hit balls off of roofs, with no penalty - well, Phil is his own penalty)

Every fairway should have about 5 yards of first cut rough on either side, then 10-15 yards (maybe a little more) of deep rough.

You go outside of that? Out of bounds, fella. Take your penalty.

I have no doubt that Tiger, as good as he is, could still win under such rules. But I think it would put a premium back on accuracy that has been missing from the PGA for much of my adult life.

Nice idea--but one significant problem--once upon a time courses weren't as long--the amount of people weren't nearly the same at an event, and you take away some unreal shot creativity/making by punishing people for the fact they are talented and more talented then others. With all of Woods advantages--Mediate and Bob May have provided him the toughest challenges of his career--well Chris DeMarco too--but two of those men were old/mediocre players--so it's not like it eliminates their chances against the best. For instance--the Playoff would've been over after Mediate's 2nd Shot--due to where he hit it--and yet he still had a chance to send it to another sudden death hole.

I think part of Woods scattered tee shots lately has now been explained. The guy won 2 Majors with a torn ACL--and 1 with additional injury of a broken tibia. It's one thing to compete--another to win a Major when another is having the tournament of his life and you could've said "Well--I gave it a great run". Not Woods--and that is what I love about him as a competitor. All this talk of Kevin Garnett being intense--is anyone more intense then Woods and I think he's at his best when he's in his own world prior to a pressure putt--and it's dead quiet and focused. That is as intense/focused as someone gets in sports and especially in an individual sport where you can't hide behind anyone or have others make excuses.

As Boz said--whether you like him or not--how he handled breaking the news of the injury is one of the cool things you will see in today's world of sports. It's not as if he waited until he won--he waited until he knew he was done--and win or lose--this was it. That is true class and it's also true professionalism in the era of fake injuries and fake courage in the sporting arena.

[DanMcQ]

Boswell