USA Today and network news sources are reporting that Tiger Woods will undergo a fourth surgery on his knee—this time reconstructive—and miss the rest of the 2008 season.
I hate to say I told you so, but …
From Tiger’s website:
“I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open,” said Woods. “Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee.”
A date for the knee surgery, as well as the necessary rehabilitation schedule, has not yet been determined.
“While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy,” said Woods. “My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects.”
I’ll repeat what I wrote in my 2008 wrapup. Tiger’s 91 hole effort was heroic, but stupid. Everyone would have understood if he had withdrawn before, or during the tournament.
I’ll be very happy if he comes back. Golf with Tiger is far better than golf without.
But I have to wonder: At what price victory?
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This was telling indeed. The double stress fracture occurred during his preparation for the Memorial. It seems really stupid for him to have played now. If the doctors were advising him not to start his prep when he even caused the fracture, then he is that much more stupid for causing it—he could have just delayed his prep and gone for the British. For that matter, he could have just not postponed the athroscopic surgery in the first place and done it last year.
Also, since we are talking about Tiger, perhaps when he changed his swing to alleviate stress on his knee, he should have just decided to play lefty—he would probably be on his way to some sort of slam now.
Stress fractures often cause a “hot” pain, and can at times, seem bearable and ok, like a deep leg toothache that acts up. They can be hard to detect.
Interesting that Brian Hewett and media are blaming the PGA Tour for their over-promotion and dependency on the Tiger machine.
Can you believe it? The media blaming others for the hype and single-minded focus on Tiger? The media really are something else.
He told ESPN that he has not felt good for 10 years so I am amazed that he went that long, especially in view of the extent of his injuries.