There is no doubt that Tiger Woods was, is, and will remain the hero of the golf world. Some might disagree, but this is what the common consensus is! But there have been a few times when the golfer has come under the fans’ radar for one thing or another. Lately, it has been his performance and how he should just hang his clubs because apparently, some fans believe that he just does not have it anymore in him. Again, some might disagree.
The golf world believes Woods can hardly make it to the weekend in a regular tournament, let alone the majors. Hence, the golfer accepting invites and playing in the events has become more of a joke to them. Tiger Woods reached Valhalla just a couple of days before the tournament to practice. The video was shared by NUCLR GOLF on X. A few spectators gathered around to see the magic unravel, and even on the internet, his good form was appreciated. Woods’s fans remained loyal, but not the general golf fans.
Fans used to cover him like bees to get a glimpse of his golf shots and a chance to witness him raise one more trophy at the end of the tournament. Although his popularity remains unchanged, his game has undergone significant changes. And it is all due to the near-fatal accident back in 2021. After that, fans have arguably lost trust in him. After all, he has not been able to win a single tournament in the last five years. Even competing in all four rounds has become a rare sight. If Woods makes the cut, the chance of him withdrawing is high; if not, people will have to witness the terrible sight of him struggling to keep up with the others’ scores and physicality till the end, just like he did at the 2024 Masters.
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🐅 Tiger Woods was striping it during his practice round today at Valhalla. @TWlegion
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 14, 2024
He received a special invite from the USGA to compete in the US Open this year, a move that was heavily criticized by netizens. Why? Well, if he plays just because of his illustrious status with no real value, it means a more deserving golfer has to lose his spot. When his presence was confirmed for the Masters, the common emotion was that he would not be able to play all 72 holes, and the suspension of the first round added fuel to the fire. He had to play more than 20 holes on Friday, but he did it with determination. Woods’s zeal at ANGC seemed to not have impressed the fans, as their opinions have not changed for the upcoming PGA Championship.
Can Tiger Woods win another PGA Championship? Fans say, no!
Woods looked good. However, fans explained that this is what happens every time he plays. He looks good at the start, and the ending is a completely different story altogether! Despite him looking dialed in, they claimed that it was almost certain that he wouldn’t make the cut or that he would withdraw. This is what history has been like lately. He WD from the 2023 Masters before the third round, and then went on to stay out of the professional greens for almost 8 months. He came back to the Genesis Invitational looking all good but withdrew because of Influenza. He did turn around the page at ANGC this year when he played all four days and proved the naysayers wrong. “Like every practice round or Thursday, Let’s see it on a Saturday or Sunday,“ said one, while another bluntly asked, “When will he WD?”
Spectators were not shy about giving a reality check to the hardcore fans, who showed optimism as well. Responding to TWLEGION’s question as to how Woods would fare this week, one fan even suggested that over the weekend he’d be home resting and recuperating. The fan wittily commented, “On his couch with ice all over his body.” This was the emotion again expressing the fact that the golfer will not be able to play all four days, and even if he can, his body will almost give up. Just at the pre-tournament presser, the golfer revealed that his back had somewhat been troubling him again, and this sure did not come as a good indication.
On his couch with ice all over his body.
— Golf Gambler legend (@straight_cash69) May 14, 2024
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Woods has admitted several times that ice baths after round after round have been the only reason he could play the day after in every event. While many want the four-time PGA Championship champion to win, the reality is otherwise. The 2024 Masters stands testament to that. Woods had shown tremendous improvement in both the game and his health, but only for the first two days. Thereafter, the whole world watched him crumble as the rounds progressed.
It’s clear that the fans on Twitter currently believe that the 15x major champion’s presence at Valhalla will end with an inevitable sad exit. Yet, a couple tried to remain positive. So very few. “Love to see it and hope he can maintain through the whole tournament!“
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One fan commented, “We all want him to win. But he just can’t do it except in small spurts anymore. I’m pulling for him. Sadly not shocked if he misses the cut after a great first day.” Like a true GOAT fan, they expressed that they do want him to win, but at the same time, the reality cannot be escaped. There are great golfers in the field this year, such as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who are top favorites, and even if Woods ends up having a great first round, unlike his average first Masters round, he might just WD if things get hard! The chances of rain this year are higher at Valhalla, which will not ease things down for him.
Tiger Woods has won at Valhalla before, in tremendous fashion. His 2000 win—where he trashed Bob May in a playoff to win his fifth major—is still one of the greatest moments in the history of the PGA Championship. However, the question is still the same: can he pull out another such win? It remains to be seen! Meanwhile, stay tuned to find all the timely updates on the upcoming weekend!