How Bad Are Tiger’s Injuries? A Former PGA Tour Player Turned Surgeon Chimes In

How Bad Are Tiger’s Injuries? A Former PGA Tour Player Turned Surgeon Chimes In.

Lots of people have opinions on the extent of Tiger’s injuries in the recent auto crash, but few outside his doctors are in a better position to comment than Dr. Bill Mallon, a former PGA TOUR player turned Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Mallon was a two time All American At Duke who played on the PGA TOUR from 1976 – 1979, posting three top tens. After leaving the tour, Mallon returned to Duke to study medicine. He now is the University’s Associate Consulting Professor of Orthopaedics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

In a recent twitter thread, Mallon gave his opinion on Tiger’s injuries, the surgery and his possible recovery, based on his highly informed interpretation of publicly released information.

Mallon seems to think that the leg injury likely will not prevent Tiger from returning to play on the PGA TOUR:

One good thing is that this involves Tiger’s right leg and ankle. The right ankle is not under the same stresses that occur in the left ankle in the downswing, impact and follow-thru

Dr. Bill Mallon on Twitter

More ominously, however, Mall thinks that Tiger’s recent FIFTH back surgery may very well be what keeps him off the course:

Can Tiger play golf again, and if so, how long? From these injuries I suspect the answer is yes, he can play golf again. but I think the rate-limiting factor in his recovery is still his back. Golf Places a lot of s tress on the back.

One back surgery is difficult ot recover from for a pro golfer. Five back surgeries? Each one makes recovery more difficult. I still think that will be more difficult for him to recover from.

Dr. Bill Mallon on Twitter.

Dr. Mallon’s extended Twitter thread follows. I think its a really interesting read from someone in a unique position to understand both sides of the equation.