Washington: Playing in the Ryder Cup will be the culmination of an amazing comeback season for Tiger Woods, one the 14-time Major champion feared might never happen after back surgery.
The 42-year-old American has shown flashes of the form that made him golf’s dominant player in younger days in his first campaign after spinal fusion surgery, a last-gasp operation to try and extend his legendary career.
“It was a last-ditch effort,” Woods said here Monday. “I tried everything else because fusion is the last-ditch effort and nothing beyond that. So didn’t know what my playing career would be like. This is all uncharted territory.”
So far, Woods’ performances are steadily improving and the medical charts are showing no back issues after years of nagging problems.
Woods has hit drives longer than his youthful days, led the British Open in the final round in July, finished second in last month’s PGA Championships and fired a 62 earlier this month, his lowest US PGA opening round since the 1999 Byron Nelson Classic.
And the former World No.1 achieved his goal of securing a Ryder Cup captain’s pick from Jim Furyk, who pulled him from a planned assistant captain’s role after seeing the quality of his game.
“Deep down, I wanted to make the team. I really wanted to play in it,” Woods asserted. “I had not started playing golf really yet, but still, it was a goal at the end of the season to make this team.
“As the year progressed, I gained some traction and was somehow able to get some high finishes and lo and behold, I’m a part of this team. It’s incredible, it really is, to look back at the start of the year and to have accomplished a goal like that. To be a player is just beyond special,” added the golfer.
Woods still hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open and hasn’t won any event in more than five years, but has rediscovered the joy of playing after fears it might never happen again.
“It’s about enjoying being back,” Woods informed. “Enjoying being able to play golf again, competing at this level. All of these things at the beginning of the year were all unknowns. It has been one of my best years as a whole.
“To have a winless year, but to go through what I’ve gone through – I didn’t know if I was ever going to play again, I was just hoping to be able to play with my kids and golf with my buddies at home – this has been a blessing. It has been so special to have this opportunity again. I’m certainly not taking it for granted, that’s for sure,” added Woods.