Golf legend and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods had gotten into a rollover car crash last Tuesday around 7:00 a.m. in Palos Verdes. Woods’s future on the course is now uncertain due to a severe leg injury he obtained during the crash.

With an unfortunate turn of events, “The 45-year-old… in his SUV crossed a median and veered across two lanes of road before hitting a curb, hitting a tree and landing on its side in the brush,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. Woods sustained severe injuries to his leg, but just mild enough that, “…surgeons likely believed would save his leg from amputation,” according to CNN. 

Woods had to be rushed into immediate leg surgery requiring a rod, screws, pins, and a surgical release of muscle shelter due to shattering his tibia and fibula in his lower right leg. “I do think the fact that he was wearing a seatbelt and that the vehicle safety features worked as designed by the manufacturer likely resulted in either reducing his injury or saving his life,” Deputy Carlos Gonzalez told CNN’s Chris Cuomo.  

Though this is the most severe instance, this is not the first time Woods’ time on the golf course was threatened to be cut short. 

The golfer just recently played in the PNC Championship tournament last Dec. alongside his son Charlie Woods, and was experiencing some nerve pain. He then underwent his fifth back surgery to repair a pressurized disc fragment on Dec. 23, 2020 and has been recovering ever since. 

Even before the accident, the future of Woods’s athletic career hung in the balance with a long, uncertain road of recovery ahead of him. Now, there is even more uncertainty surrounding the fate of Woods’ career. According to CNN, he was last seen conscious, responsive, and recovering in Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after telling officials that he had zero memory of the crash. 

The question remains, will Woods be able to play golf again and be as dominant as he’s been in the past? Woods has had some major setbacks throughout his career ranging from previous car accidents, surgeries, a DUI ticket, a divorce, alcohol addiction, reckless driving, dependence on opioid painkillers, and more, but will this impediment stop the legend from getting back out on the course? 

No is the last thing the professional wants to hear, and Woods has proved the public wrong in his past before by overcoming major obstacles. 

“He has done it before,” competitor Rory Mcllroy said. Many have spoken to Woods about his fame, downfalls, upbringings, and success in his past, but he always responds with, “I don’t feel comfortable with it,” because he does not want others to be satisfied with his craft or simply being human. 

Woods not only has some recovering to do, but some making up to do as well. The golfer is now clean and healthy, but will he ever be able to bring back his reputation as a good guy despite being a lethal weapon on the course? 

“Ever since Tiger enlisted himself in the world of golf, he has brought an absurd amount of viewers from all around the world. Even though he doesn’t have the trophy from most major championships, many people see him as the greatest golfer of all time today, and he has always been a household name. Only time will tell if Tiger can bounce back to catch the great Jack Nicklaus,” senior at SSU Eliseo Fragoso said.   

Just before the accident, Woods’s two-point biographical docuseries “Tiger” was released on HBO. It is based on the 2018 novel called, “Tiger Woods.” The docuseries illustrates the details of Woods’s relationship with his father and how he not only developed as an athlete, but as a man during his time in the limelight. It includes his rises, falls, and his return to the world of golf.    

As Woods begins his long road to recovery, the future of his career continues to hang in the balance. With an athletic career under his belt that will leave behind an everlasting legacy, there’s no telling what will become of the golf legend after this tragic accident. Woods has made many comebacks in his days on the green, but will this uncertain road to recovery ahead lead him to hang up his golf clubs for good?