Established 1961 Sport THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 Tiger’s legendary career in jeopardy WASHINGTON: The amazing golf same green at Augusta National after career of Tiger Woods, from two-year- winning his first major title since 2008 old prodigy to his epic comeback 2019 and hug his children, Sam and Charlie, in a Masters victory, was in jeopardy Tuesday bookend moment to signal a completed after injuries suffered in a serious solo car return from back surgery Woods hoped crash. The 45-year-old American, among would allow him a normal life. It also gave the world’s most famous athletes for the him another chance at golfing glory. past quarter-century, underwent surgery Woods, who spent a record 683 weeks for multiple leg injuries following the early as world number one, is 50th in this morning wreck near Los Angeles. week’s world rankings. At age two, Woods It could mean the end of a ground- charmed on a TV show with his putting breaking career that has seen Woods win skill. The child prodigy was a three-time 15 major titles, three shy of the all-time US Amateur winner before turning pro in record set by Jack Nicklaus, and 82 US 1996 with endorsement deals and a mes- PGA crowns, level with Sam Snead for the sage: “Hello world.” all-time mark. Woods has faced plenty of Woods won the Las Vegas Invitational prior troubles off the course, including in October 1996 to secure his place on multiple back and knee surgeries, the the PGA Tour and six months later deliv- 2009 revelation of multiple affairs that led ered a 12-stroke victory for the ages at 21 to an emotional public apology and at Augusta National for a green jacket divorce from wife Elin Nordegren plus a and the start of “Tiger-mania” interest 2017 reckless driving incident. that overwhelmed anything golf had ever Woods was recovering from 2017 seen. Woods had brought a youthful back surgery when he was arrested for excitement and fitness emphasis unseen driving under the influence of alcohol or among golfers, delivering imaginative drugs, his mug shot drawing worldwide shotmaking and a big-driving game that attention. He said he had not realized how put him among the greatest champions prescription drugs he was taking might the sport had ever known. interact and later pleaded guilty to reck- less driving. In the 1990s, Woods put him- ‘Tiger Slam’ in 2000-01 self alongside pal and NBA star Michael He pulled off one of golf’s greatest Jordan as two of the world’s most iconic achievements in 2000 and early 2001 sports stars and richest endorsement with the “Tiger Slam” — winning four PACIFIC PALISADES: Tiger Woods on hand at the trophy presentation ceremony after the final round of the Genesis Invitational at pitchmen, his fame going beyond golf consecutive majors. Woods won the 2000 Riviera Country Club on February 21, 2021 in Pacific Palisades, California. — AFP lovers or sports fans. US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes, Woods thrilled audiences with his skill the biggest major blowout in history, then won six 2019 titles but lost a major for the 2012 at Bay Hill. He won three titles in all-time win record. as well as a winning charm and personali- captured the Open Championship at St. first time when leading after 54 holes at 2012 and five in 2013, but back pain After serving as a playing captain for ty, global audiences inviting him into their Andrews to complete the career Grand the 2009 PGA Championship. Three began limiting him and it would take the triumphant 2019 US team at the homes through television every week, Slam. He edged Bob May in a playoff at months later, after a low-speed crash near four operations and five years before Presidents Cup in Australia, Woods while at the same time keeping private the 2000 PGA and captured the 2001 his home, details of extra-marital affairs Woods won again at the 2018 Tour shared ninth at Torrey Pines, his best details about his life. Woods was the first Masters to own all four major titles at by Woods became public, leading to an Championship, setting the stage for his 2020 finish. In last year’s majors, Woods black winner of the Masters in 1997, hug- once, an unprecedented feat. apology and divorce and a golf layoff 2019 Masters victory. With his most was 37th at the PGA Championship, ging his father Earl after his historic vic- Woods won the 2008 US Open at until the 2010 Masters, where he shared recent triumph at the 2019 Zozo missed the cut at US Open and shared tory in course record fashion. Torrey Pines on a broken leg, downing fourth and began to rebuild his career. Championship in Japan, Woods 38th at the Masters last November in his In 2019, Woods would come off the Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff, and Woods wouldn’t win again before matched the late Snead for the US PGA most recent tour outing. — AFP.