ORLANDO, FL, Dec. 19 (US): With the exception of riding in a buggy instead of walking, Tiger Woods sometimes looked exactly as he did a year ago at the PNC Championship on Saturday. Not just often.
“Two good shots – three – came exactly the way I wanted,” Woods said.
The fact that he was able to play alongside his 12-year-old son Charlie was enough success given his right leg injuries from a car accident 10 months ago in Los Angeles. Woods said doctors have discussed amputation. For three months, he said, he remained paralyzed in a makeshift hospital bed in his Florida home, The Associated Press reported.
He and Charlie combined for 62 in scramble form, and tied for fifth, with three shots behind Stewart and Reagan Sink.
What he made from this remarkable comeback had more to do with camaraderie than competition.
“We had a lot of fun outside,” Woods.
One of those shots that stood Woods on the third hole was a five, hitting a 4-iron from 220 yards that slid slightly toward the flag and settled 8 feet behind the hole. That was a bullet he saw in his head and then in the air.
“That was ridiculous,” said Justin Thomas. “I looked at him and as soon as he sat in the wagon, he looked at me and smiled. And I knew exactly that was the kind of hit he hits when he’s healthy.”
Woods is healthy enough to play the PNC Championship, a popular year-end event for the top champs and family members. He’s not healthy enough to be an average golfer.
“I don’t have the stamina,” said Woods, whose last competition was the PNC Championship a year ago when he and his son finished seventh against a 20-team stadium.
“He’s tired out there, so it was a slow day. But it’s something I’m going to have to do – if I want to compete here at the Tour level – I’m going to have to get my stamina back and hit thousands and thousands of golf balls. It just takes time.”
Woods also mentioned pass metal he hit on the green at 5 14, and 7 iron he smoked in par-3 17, not sure he could get there.
“It was one of my old shots,” Woods said.
Thomas would have picked another shot. He’s decided that Woods, who turns 46 at the end of the month and still walks very warily of broken bones in his right leg and ankle, wouldn’t hit him by the car. That changed in Hole 11.
“I hit it really well and as soon as his ball took that big bounce we looked at each other and said, ‘If it’s going to happen, it’ll be because I think it just got fired. ‘ Thomas said with a smile.
Woods showed the effects of his injuries in the way he walked, and sometimes worked hard. The hardest walk was 62-year-old pro player Mike Thomas with a bulging disc in his back that was grimace a lot.
“Definitely calling it a hit, my dad and tiger made 18 holes,” Justin Thomas said.
Woods’ competitive side showed just how proud he was that his team managed to keep the ghost off their card for the 62nd time in a row at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando.
Thomas and his father shot 60 and fired a single shot in the back along with John Daly and his son. Vijay Singh and his son were late. Woods and his son were among six teams at the age of 62, including the oldest player (86-year-old Gary Player) and youngest player (Karl Stenson, 11-year-old son of Henrik Stenson) on the field.
But this network TV show has been all about Woods, the sport’s biggest attraction, especially now when scenes and reports from his February 23 car crash have shown that it would be a long time, if he could ever play in any championship.
“It’s really cool, isn’t it?” Nick Faldo said. “To go from being afraid of not being able to use your foot to standing, he went through every stage and was hard working and amazing determination. That was probably a goal. That was a great goal for him to come and play with his son.”
The tournament was a bluff, limited to about 3,000 spectators, most of whom were chasing Woods and his son, who made his share of good shots.
Just like last year, Woods didn’t bother to drive in the seventh and ninth holes because Charlie plays off a set of front tees and gets her out there with a great distance.
“I was hoping Charlie would drive it like he did today, so I didn’t have to hit as many, and he saved me for the short shots,” Woods said. “I can still hit with the short iron and I can still hit.
That didn’t leave me speed and some shots – longer – available.”
The hardest part for Woods was being in a carriage, which was necessary for him to play. Woods said he would never consider applying to use a buggy in a PGA Tour event; If that’s the only way to play, it won’t.
“In terms of shots, he’s not very far,” said Thomas. “But in terms of being able to be competitive and going 72 holes for several weeks in a row, yes, that’s a different story and he’s the only one who can answer that.”
For Woods, this was a fun game of golf, not the real thing. For now, it was good enough.