Tiger’s Swing ‘As Good As Ever’ Stage is Set for Open Championship

Justin Thomas has gone to bat for his close friend, saying that Tiger Woods’ swing is looking ‘as good as ever’.  

Woods allegedly drove the 18^th green on Sunday and is stirred the golfing world into a frenzy once again.

It is hard to explain, we are just drawn to him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods)

Maybe due to the fact that he has done things, no other golfer could do, or endured excruciating pain to come back to a world-class level in 2019 and 2020, before falling off the perch once again and having to do rehab and recovery once more. His journey is well-documented, the ups and downs of an incredible life both on and off the course, but Tiger has devoted his life to this game, and getting himself fit enough to be able to tee it up this week is nothing short of miraculous.

Tiger’s innate ability to play well – regardless of his physical state – is one of the attributes that makes him such a fierce competitor. We saw him win at Torrey Pines in 2008 with his ACL barely intact, wincing and dropping to his knees and yet still securing the US Open title in a playoff.

Tiger Woods.

18th hole at St. Andrews.

Enough said. pic.twitter.com/uHzaj7eNEj

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 10, 2022

And earlier this year, the five-time Masters champion hobbled around Augusta, yet still carded a Thursday 71 and Friday 74, fighting to make the cut in his first competitive tournament since a horrifying car crash. This was a tournament where so many in-form players headed home on Friday. Tiger then made the cut at the PGA Championship before withdrawing on Saturday, citing excessive leg pain.

Some have suggested that it could be a final farewell to serious competitive golf for the 15-time major champion, with analyst Sir Nick Faldo suggesting as much. It would certainly be a fitting stage on which to bow out, as Jack Nicklaus had done so many years ago with that famous final birdie.

I still believe in Tiger Woods pic.twitter.com/nS1u6XFyHV

— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) July 10, 2022

That was in 2005, the year Tiger won his second Claret Jug, and perhaps symbolic of the end of one incredible career and the handing over of the reins to the next great phenom. If Tiger were to retire here this week, it would be fitting if the Champion Golfer was an in-form major champion like Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm, who then went on the chase the seemingly unassailable records of Tiger and Jack.

We know better than to write off Tiger Woods, and Justin Thomas knows this, too. The mental fortitude required to succeed at a links course has been demonstrated several times in his glittering career and the necessary discipline and shot-making are all still weapons in his arsenal.

On another glorious day at the Home of Golf, ⁦@TigerWoods⁩ is out early with ⁦@JustinThomas34⁩ pic.twitter.com/hjdTiMCPP2

— Steve DiMeglio (@Steve_DiMeglio) July 10, 2022

What is clear from the crowds he has cultivated during his practice round today, is that this major championship will draw in sports fans from all over the world, as Tiger has prepared meticulously to enable his body to be ready for this particular event. We all want to see Tiger compete at next week’s Open, how many times will we get the chance to see arguably the greatest golfer of all time, tee it up at the Home of Golf in a major championship?

Cover Image Via SportingNews