‘He Couldn’t Get Up Out of the Chair’: Untold Tiger Woods Story Delivers Concerning Details Amid Latest Masters Outing

Tiger Woods has been saddled with countless injuries that have, to an extent, restricted him from chasing the thrill of his biggest passion, golf. The talk of the golf world between 2010 and 2020 was largely about the 15-time major champ’s worrying injuries. The latest revelation from Bob Harig’s ‘Drive: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods’ sheds detailed insights on Tiger’s worrying plight in 2017 that the world never knew about. 

2013 was when fate decided to play the main villain in Tiger Woods’s story. Since then, headlines after headlines have popped up regarding his health. All these paved the path to 2017, the year that changed Woods’s life forever. That year was miserable for him, and back-to-back poor performances pushed Woods into the search for an ultimate cure. 

The 2017 Masters, which hosted Danny Willett’s dinner, was the starting point for Woods’ biggest surgery. At the dinner, soon after he whispered “I’m done” to Nick Faldo, Woods flew across the Atlantic to meet with experts to find a solution to his miserable state. After withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Open, the Honda Classic, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational – all because of back spasms – his meeting with doctors resulted in the inevitable.

He had three microdiscectomies, and after doing the preliminary checkups, physical therapist Dan Hellman was astounded by the very fact that Woods was able to even swing his golf club with this condition! During the press conference after his surgery, Woods was optimistic. But that was far from the truth, according to Notah Begay. As reported by Sports Illustrated, Harig wrote in his book that Begay said, “Honestly, he couldn’t get up out of the chair under his own power.”

Begay, who has known Woods since their Stanford days, revealed the golf icon also complained about the unbearable pain from the stitches incurred during surgery. “This is a guy who I’m helping, one of my dear friends in the world, just to walk to the car. His arm is draped around my shoulders using me for support to help him get step by step.” Seeing Woods in that state made Begay imagine the worst.

“I’m thinking this guy will never play golf the way he ever played before. A sadness came over me. Maybe we’ll never see him play golf again. I just kept thinking of that image of helping him into the car. How is he ever going from this to holding up to a major championship trophy? Wearing a green jacket? I just didn’t see it.” Against all odds, though, Woods won his 15th major in 2019 at the Masters. He came back from injury, just like he said he would.

Going back to 2017, it’s shocking to even comprehend how Tiger Woods could bite down on the gut-wrenching pain and attend a press meeting in conjecture with Big Cedar Lodge just two weeks before his surgery. 

Summing up these challenging moments, Woods is yet again gearing up for another Masters outing. But nightmarish withdrawals, including the recent Genesis Invitational chaos and health concerns, are causing major worry for Woods’ Masters dream. Despite the roadblocks, one could say that his appearance at Augusta will be a refreshing sight for sore eyes. 

Tiger Woods’ ‘health’ nightmare has not faltered fans’ hopes

Dr. Richard Guyer once said, “I have always believed in Tiger…If anyone could do this, it was him.” Tiger Woods’ surgeon was throwing praise at the 2019 Masters Champion. But the reality of that glorious victory is filled with misfortune for him. More surgeries followed Woods after his victory, and the devastating car accident on February 23, 2021, dragged him back to point zero.

Since then, professionally, Woods has been struggling, and fans witnessed withdrawal after withdrawal, which Woods was forced to take. But optimism is still running high among them for their hero. 

“Never a doubt, he’s never a doubt, he’s winning,” was a die-hard Tiger Woods fan’s instant reply after witnessing their idol’s practice rounds. There were many more such wholesome responses from the fans, which showed the impact Woods has as a golfer. “Can’t count out the goat,” commented yet another enthusiast as Will Zalatoris praised Woods for his “pretty amazing” performance during the practice. 

His resurgence is what die-hard fans are craving, and it is something Woods will also be striving for at the 2024 Masters. For now, it remains to be seen whether Woods will become the oldest Masters winner or if this will be just another event where he ends up not playing for all four days! 

Read More: “Tiger [Woods] Wasn’t at His Strongest”: From Injured to No.1, Tour Colleague Reminisces the 48-Year-Old’s Greatness Amid His Comeback