The 27th of October was not a regular day in the world of Professional Golfers Association (PGA), it was a historic one. Holding the golf club and hitting the last stroke that got the entire PGA world excited was Tiger Woods. Renowned Champion whose good tie with clubs is shown by the way he fills the holes with less strokes.
Although he wasn’t new to the glory of reaching the holes in the quickest time, on Sunday, he equaled 32 years historic record of Sam Snead, and there is hope of surpassing it. Late Golfer, Sam Snead held the PGA record of 82 all-time wins, a historic feat he attained at the age of 52, in 1987.
But Woods cut time some slack, winning at the nick of 43 years old, sparing nine years, maybe, to set his own record.
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The ecstasy that followed the 82 all-time wins equalizer isn’t centered on the record only, but where he, Tiger Woods, was coming from to equal it.
Turbulent times that altered the glory that Woods once basked on created a dim hope, a near impossible belief that he would get out of it standing on his feet, muchless being celebrated again.
It was a bone-breaking knock down of a family misfortune, emanating from his own doing that set the uncertainties right into his career paths. Woods had a career flop following his wife’s divorce from him, owing to his own infidelity. In his struggle to emancipate himself from the mental torment and social stigma, he took a long break from the game, though injury was going to beckon despair upon him.
From back to knee to shoulder, he went under the knife and it kept him on the sidelines for a chunk of career time, dimming some hope of record he has set previously. Woods had admitted on Sunday, in Japan, that he began eyeing the all-time victories record when he inched “north of 50 wins” on the career list. But it was after his No. 79 victory, at 2013, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, that things became more interesting.
The mountain of injuries that followed made the hope of chasing Sam Snead’s record, a mere dream. And then there was a five years drought after the injuries, compounding the woes. It was until 2018 that fortune beamed its smile on him once again, and there’s a recipe for victory to be tasted after the hunger. He said:
“I went through some rough patches with my back and didn’t play for a number of years, so that record seemed like it was out of reach.
“Having had my fourth back procedure and being able to come back and play at a decently high level again, it put the number back in the conversation once again. Lo and behold, here we are tied with Snead.”
A few years ago, many would have laughed at the suggestion that Woods would be making the above statement. But the tide turned and fortune beckoned the sweet wind, not even his fourth surgery could stop him.
He started the week with three consecutive bogeys and appeared headed to what would understandably amount to a rehab start following nine weeks of competitive inactivity. His final 69 holes received touches of his inward resilience – opening a two stroke lead with back-to-back rounds of 64, enduring a grueling 29-hole Sunday to set up Monday’s spirit.
The charisma that glued millions of eyeballs to the TV screen whenever Tiger’s playing has been rekindled, and his mates can’t help but applaud the prodigy.
Gary Woodland, who was grouped with Woods for the final two rounds saw the history from a professional viewpoint and has this to say:
“The ball striking exhibition I’ve seen the last two days is a joke. I don’t see him stopping anytime soon. 82 is pretty special, I think there’s a lot more in store.”
Others didn’t reserve their excitement: As players took their positions around the TV in the clubhouse to watch the finish, one of them, Joel Dahmen, who couldn’t leave because he wanted to witness the history said.
“How many times are you going to get a chance to see this? Never, right.”
The correct answer should be “a little time” because it will take just one more win for Woods to set his own record. Meanwhile, the club wielding arms in cage have found its way to freedom, and once again, the Tiger roars in the Woods.