Celebrated American golfer Tiger Woods reignited his chase for golf’s record 18 major wins with an amazing Masters victory last year but the coronavirus outbreak is now proving to be a serious obstacle to his historic chase.
He would be defending his 15th career major title and also chasing a record-tying sixth green jacket this week at Augusta National if the deadly virus did not halt sports calendar across the world.
COVID-19: WHO Director General addresses death threats, racist comments
“Somehow it all came together for one magical week, an amazing week” Woods said.
But 2020’s 84th Masters was pushed to November 12-15, the British Open was cancelled, the US Open was also pushed from June to September and the PGA Championship from May to August.
“There are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now,” Woods said in a tweeter post in march as he called on his supporters to stay safe, smart and follow the laid protocols by health authorities.
Woods made a comeback last April in August with an electrifying performance marked by his last round triumph which put him only titles short of the all time record set Jack Nicklaus. Last year’s triumph was his major title since 2008.
But time and age is a growing factor, only eight golfers have won their majors after clocking beyond 44 years and not more than once.
Nicklaus remains the recent one with his 1986 Masters triumph at 46 while the late Julius Boros won the 1968 PGA at 48.
“The hardest things to accept as an older athlete is that you’re not going to be as consistent as you were at 23,” Woods said.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/tiger-woods-wins-masters-2019-majors-a9461151.html
Woods is ranked 11th in the world golf rankings which is just seventh among Americans and only the top four will be legible to qualify for the US 2021 Tokyo Olympics squad.
“Olympic gold medal would be a hell of a feat but first I need to qualify. It would be exciting if I got a chance to represent the United States in the Olympic Games.” he added.
