Woods will return better than ever

Tiger Woods is yet to discuss the long-term affects of his season-ending ACL surgery, but popular opinion is that he’ll be back stronger than ever.

Dr. Jim Bradley, team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team and knee surgery expert, is confident Woods will return to the top of his game. “If he wants to go after Jack Nicklaus’ record, he’ll need a good ACL reconstruction to do it, but this is not career threatening.”

This is an opinion echoed by a close friend of the 32-year-old, two-time Major winner Mark O’Meara, who thinks the lay-off may even be good for golf. “As big as he is in the game of golf, the game is even bigger. The Tour will survive. I think it will be good for the game and good for him to go away for six months.”

O’Meara spoke to Woods after his US Open victory and has no doubt that he’s made the right decision. “I know his doctors, and they’re the best in the world. In six months, he’ll be better than new. It’s time to realize the game is the thing that will benefit.”

Bubba Watson knows his absence will be a big miss on Tour, but it will also provide an opportunity for other players to shine. “Certainly, he’ll be missed, and hopefully he’ll be back next year better than ever. We’re definitely going to have a new FedEx Cup champion, so we’ll see how that goes. And there are two more majors where we’ll have one less player to beat, one less great player, that is.”

Woods’ worsening knee injury and double stress fracture of the left tibia puts his victory at Torrey Pines in a whole new light. “Feeling the way he felt, knowing inside that the knee could blow out at any time, he displayed focus and determination beyond belief,” said O’Meara.

“You don’t win 14 majors without being incredibly mentally tough,” he added. “He doesn’t want to jeopardize his career. He’ll heal and come back. He’ll probably come back stronger.”