PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — We’re running out of bizarre scenes and circumstances with Tiger Woods.
For over twenty years, Woods amazed the global audience with his exceptional performance on the golf course, securing 15 major championships, 82 tournament victories, and establishing his dominance in the sport like no other player before him.
Presently, Woods has transitioned into a melancholic spectacle, prompting questions about why he continues to subject himself to the rigors of professional golf at the age of 48, facing new health challenges each time he competes.
The recent incident involving Woods saw him being escorted off the course during the second round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club due to an “illness,” leading to his subsequent withdrawal from the tournament.
The subsequent events that unfolded were, to be honest, quite peculiar – even when considering Woods’ past behavior.
An ambulance from the Los Angeles Fire Department reversed towards the clubhouse’s service entrance and remained stationed there for approximately 45 minutes until an individual emerged from the clubhouse and conveyed, “He’s not coming out.”
Following this, an empty stretcher was brought out from the building and placed into the ambulance before it departed, accompanied by two fire trucks.
Shortly after this incident, Woods’ manager and business partner, Rob McNamara, released a statement explaining that Woods had experienced flu-like symptoms the previous night, which worsened in the morning. He had a fever, felt better during the warm-up, but started feeling dizzy while walking and playing. Doctors diagnosed him with the flu and dehydration, treating him with an IV bag, resulting in significant improvement.
Following McNamara’s statement, Woods finally emerged from the locker room at 3:45 p.m. local time, entered the passenger seat of a red SUV, and departed. It remains uncertain whether he will remain as the tournament host through the weekend to present the trophy to the winner.
McNamara made it clear that Woods’ issues on Friday are unrelated to the structural problems he has been dealing with since his back and foot surgeries.
According to McNamara, the issues were not physical in nature. Woods’ back is fine, and the problems were caused by medical illness and dehydration. Fortunately, the symptoms are now reversing after receiving an IV.
The positive news is that this recent incident is not connected to Woods’ previous physical ailments, and there have been no apparent setbacks.
However, the reality is that since the SUV crash after the 2021 Genesis Invitational, Woods has only participated in six 72-hole PGA Tour events. Out of those, he has only completed two, with three withdrawals and a missed cut accounting for the other four.
This is now the unfortunate reality for Woods.
It raises the question as to why he continues to return. Despite his numerous victories and immense wealth, he no longer requires it. However, what undoubtedly entices Woods is his ability to still strike the ball flawlessly, putt with precision, and perform many of the tasks he once excelled at.
Occasionally.
It is evident that he still possesses a burning desire to compete and refuses to relinquish that drive.
Woods resembles a seasoned superstar who is attempting to convince himself that he can still emerge victorious, despite not having won since his historic triumph at the 2019 Masters.
Woods, who was paired with Gary Woodland and Justin Thomas, displayed signs of discomfort during the six-plus holes he played on Friday.
He made an unusual stop at one of the portable toilets while on the fifth hole before putting out. Following this, he returned to the toilet after completing the fifth hole, just before teeing off on the sixth.
Upon hitting his tee shot on the seventh hole, he seemed to grimace, suggesting he was dissatisfied with the shot. However, the ball landed in the middle of the fairway. This turned out to be his final swing of the tournament, as a tournament rules official was summoned to drive him to the clubhouse, where the ambulance was called.
Woodland commented, “I noticed he wasn’t himself, something seemed off. I could see it even before the round began. It’s disappointing. Having him there makes everything better, and it’s tough that he couldn’t finish the way he wanted to. It’s a shame for all of us.
“He just didn’t seem right. He was quieter. Given that it was cut day, we were all focused on playing well, especially the entire group. I feel for him. He was clearly trying to push through it, and I hope he’s okay.”
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