This year’s Master’s Tournament featured the return of Tiger Woods.  After being involved in a near fatal car accident on February 23, Woods would be participating in his first competitive golf event in over a year.

Woods is no stranger to comebacks, and has certainly dealt with plenty of adversity throughout his career.  In 2008, Woods underwent reconstructive ACL surgery on his left knee. After the surgery, many critics believed that he would never come back to full strength.

The physical ailments that Woods had endured were only part of his comeback story.  Woods divorced his wife in 2010, after rumors of infidelity.  This smeared his public image. Things would only get worse from this point.

In 2017, Woods was arrested and charged with DUI.  Woods had painkillers, sleep drugs, and an ingredient active in marijuana.  This arrest looked to be the demise of Tiger Woods, and all hope was lost.

“I definitely didn’t think he’d ever be back.  After his DUI I thought he was done completely.” said junior Cayman Huntsman.

Woods would be back, however.  He began playing in tournaments, until he would have yet another setback.  He would have severe low back pain, caused by the lumbar spine.  This caused him to have multiple back surgeries that were all unsuccessful.  Finally, in April of 2017, Woods would have lumbar fusion surgery.

“The amount of adversity that Tiger Woods has gone through in his career is why in my opinion, he is the greatest of all time.  You don’t see that type of physical comeback ever.” said senior Alex Juarez.

Woods would go on to win the 2019 Masters Tournament, completing his incredible comeback story.

After his most recent obstacle, Woods decided that he was going to play in the 2022 Masters.  After his car wreck, he had reconstructive surgery on his right leg.  There were doctors that told Woods he would never walk again following the wreck.

In an interview leading up to the Masters, Woods was asked if he thought he could win.  He responded with, “I do.”  If anyone could do it, it would be him.

“I was in shock when I heard that he was going to be in the Masters.  I thought his career was over.” said junior Aiden Frost.

Woods would go on to make the cut, which many people assumed he would miss.  Towards the end of the tournament, he had a visible limp, and said later that he was in a lot of pain.  Although he didn’t win the tournament, Woods’s return was a win for the sport.  TV ratings were through the roof and there was once again a buzz around the sport.  Woods brings a certain level of excitement around golf that not many people can bring.  Woods plans to continue playing in tournaments in 2022, saying that he would definitely play in The Open tournament this July.