Tiger Woods' Return From Hospital Elicits 2022 Masters Championship Hopes
Tiger Woods has returned to his home in Florida, ending a lengthy hospital stay following his single-car crash in Southern California. With the golfer recovering from injuries just a few weeks before the 2021 Masters, fans are already having visions of Woods competing at Augusta National in the future.
Woods, of course, won’t compete in the first major championship of this year.
What about next year’s event?
A Twitter post from Woods announcing that he is now recovering from his injuries at home prompted an outpouring of support from fans, many of whom said they believe the 15-time major champion can return the course in time for the 2022 Masters.
“I will be recovering at home and working on getting stronger every day,” Woods said.
Woods’ post received 110,000 likes in fewer than 18 hours.
It remains to be seen when—or even if—Woods will rejoin the PGA Tour. The injuries Woods suffered during the Feb. 23 accident were severe enough that he was required to undergo emergency surgery that same day. Sustaining multiple open fractures, Woods had a rod inserted into his right leg along with screws placed in his foot and ankle.
Woods hasn’t golfed competitively in 2021. The 45-year-old underwent his fifth back surgery in seven years in December. Woods was hoping to return in time for the 2021 Masters.
Woods won the 2019 Masters in one of the greatest comeback stories in professional sports history. It marked 11 years between major championships for Woods, putting him three majors behind Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the 2020 Masters to be postponed and played in November. Woods tied for 38th place at one-under par.
Even before his car accident, Woods was considered a long shot to win another major tournament. Following the 2020 Masters, Woods was given 40/1 odds to win the 2021 Masters, according to the online sportsbook BetOnline.
By taking home the green jacket in 1997, Woods won his first major at just 21 years old. Woods has five Masters championships and six other top-four finishes at Augusta.
The 2021 Masters is scheduled for April 8-11.
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