Rory McIlroy’s Sunday 74 and Russell Henley’s playoff victory at the Honda Classic competed for headline space with Tiger Woods’ back-nine withdrawal.
Woods withdrew after No. 13, at which point he was 5-over for the final round. He left PGA National without comment, but he later released a statement indicating that his back began bothering him while warming up and got progressively worse during the round.
Whether Tiger tapped out due to a recurrence of the back spasms that have plagued him merit top billing is beside the point. Yes, Woods was more than 10 strokes off the lead when he withdrew. Were it any other golfer, the WD wouldn’t be competing for headline space with McIlroy and Henley’s feats.
The man leaving the golf course without speaking to the press wasn’t “any other golfer,” however. It was Tiger Woods. So, here we are.
Tiger detractors will say Woods is whining. They’ll say his walkoff is comparable to McIlroy’s early departure at the same tournament last year. Many anti-Tiger-ites (on social media, anyway) speculated the golfer was frustrated with his play and the overall pace of the round and thus he elected to head home to Jupiter Island early.
Catastrophists will take this news, coupled with Woods’ underwhelming play this week and poor start to the ’13-’14 season, as signs that Tiger’s Masters hopes have gone up in smoke. Off to his worst start of his career and only has one start scheduled before heading to Augusta in April? “Tiger is doomed,” they’ll say.
Hardliners, of course, will invoke the names of the golfing greats who have soldiered on through incredible pain to finish tournaments and assert that such behavior is what this great game demands. Thus, a WD at any point other than while one is being carried away on a stretcher is unsatisfactory and Mr. Woods is a wuss.
Supporters and the more even-tempered won’t doubt the legitimacy of Tiger’s injury; many of those who followed Tiger today reported the golfer grimacing throughout his round. Whether he was truly unable to finish, only Woods himself knows. By all appearances though, the back injury was legitimate.
It’s no secret Woods is looking ahead to the Masters. If he felt there was any possibility that continuing to play would further aggravate his back, it’s understandable from a certain perspective that he withdrew in order to get treatment. However, the fact that he didn’t proceed immediately to the trainer won’t please naysayers any.
Obviously, too, he wasn’t getting quality reps while fighting through pain. Clearly, the final round wasn’t going to allow him to practice the shots he’ll need for the Masters in a competitive setting, as he reportedly likes to do in the tournaments leading up to the first major of the year. Thus, the round was, in some sense, pointless.
Does the above merit a withdrawal? Certainly not in and of itself. However, coupled with a level of pain that made continuing to play golf impossible, it’s a complementary rationale.
Regardless of what faction you align with, the following is indisputable: Tiger Woods looks as ill-prepared for the Masters at the beginning of March as he has at any point in recent memory. Clearly, he needs to practice. Clearly too, he can’t practice with a spasming back.
Therein lies the rub, as they say. It will be interesting to listen to the chatter and watch the next month unfold.
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RumtumTim
Mar 3, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I wonder- could the Foley swing be bad for his back? Is it wiser to protect the knee or protect the back?
Ponjo
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Golfers only withdraw when scores are bad.
Christian
Mar 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Very true in my opinion, bad back or not. Tiger won the US Open with a hurt knee, if he was doing much better on Sunday, no doubt he’d have stayed in. I’m a huge Rory fan but even I know last year when he withdrew he obviously wasn’t enjoying himself that round. As long as it doesn’t happen every other month, it’s no big deal.
billy
Mar 3, 2014 at 11:28 am
His short game is very average during most rounds now…I dare say its below the field in some events. If he does not recapture the magic somehow it will be a slow demise and end of a stellar golf career.
Nothing to be ashamed of for sure but there will always be that JD type question hanging low on the tree…
What if?
scott f
Mar 3, 2014 at 9:46 am
His injuries seem to be more frequent not less since he’s been bulking up. He looks as bulked this yar than I can ever remember. Rory is ripped but not bulky. Guess he needs to figure put whether he wants to beat Jack or try out for Mr Universe. Also at his age should be more focused on just core strength and stretching/yoga.
Scott
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 9:09 am
“It’s no secret Woods is looking ahead to the Masters.”
This is why he is not going to win. No winning team overlooks games against lesser opponents prior to a more important matchup against a rival.
marty
Mar 3, 2014 at 11:31 am
uh, golf is not a team sport. those rules do not apply.
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:15 pm
yes, it does. his lack of competitive play before the honda was pretty telling on wednesday, thursday, and (arguably) sunday.
simply saying “he’ll be ready for the masters” is stupid. he is far from mid-season form and there are many, many talented players in the field who have been on the grind since january.
mlamb
Mar 3, 2014 at 1:16 pm
edit: meant thursday, friday, and arguably sunday
Jack
Mar 4, 2014 at 10:43 am
No it is not like other sports. You get to a peak to perform for a tournament and do your best that way. No argument here. It’s why they all schedule around the majors…
Large chris
Mar 3, 2014 at 8:43 am
Only he knows the extent of his injury, but to have only one more start before the masters…. Is he sick of golf? Or more likely everything that goes with being who he is.
I think he has always been a very hard worker, and generally enjoys the practice, but that plus his workouts are leaving him too tired and jaded to compete.
More competitive golf, less practice and working out, fewer press and sponsor commitments, and he can play great again.
larry wilson
Mar 3, 2014 at 8:43 am
Tiger just didn’t want to post a 80.
Forsbrand
Mar 3, 2014 at 2:21 am
But don’t worry, he’ll be in great shape come the Masters in April ready for another major title! Well done Russell Henley great win
Johan
Mar 4, 2014 at 12:56 am
Är det du Anders?
Sean
Mar 3, 2014 at 12:08 am
I think the whole field was plagued with injury today. I feel sorry for Tiger. At least he has a reason for playing poorly. The rest of the field should be happy that he had a bad day. Otherwise it was his to win. At least his poor performance was due to legitimate continual issues. I don’t know what to think of the pathetic rounds I saw with the healthy one’s on the course but, wow.
Charles
Mar 3, 2014 at 7:18 am
His to win?, where we watching the same tournament?
heinket
Mar 3, 2014 at 10:58 am
He was never in contention!! This was not his tournament to win.
steve dawson
Mar 3, 2014 at 10:16 pm
his to win? sober up before posting next time..
Philip
Mar 2, 2014 at 10:05 pm
LMAO, ok you covered all the angles … woe is a society that is so predictable