Photo by my son Michael Tunney: Tiger Woods as he walked past the 28th tee on the final practice day before the start of the US Open.
On the TunneySide of Sports March 8, 2021 #838 Up next… Reflections on Tiger Woods
After further review… The tragic automobile accident that nearly took Tiger Woods’ life recently could certainly be a lesson for all.
Remembering my classroom driver education teaching days of many years ago, I can vividly recall my continuous stern warnings to those tenth graders: Speed Kills!
While it may not have been announced by the investigation, we certainly can assume that, given that no physical impairment was confirmed, speed was a factor on that tricky road in Southern California.
While this accident doesn’t compare to the 500,000 lives that have been lost in the US due to the coronavirus, this article is not written to explain comparisons. Automobile accidents happen every day and many with fatalities. Tiger is lucky to be alive. The tragedy is his loss in the golfing world. That sport like so many others has lost superstars over the years. But what is it that seems to make this tragedy so special?
Tiger has had many transgressions in his 45 years. It was recently commented that Tiger has probably had more surgeries than wins on the PGA circuit. In fact, in an interview on Sunday (two days before this accident) with CBS announcer Jim Nantz at the Riviera Course, Tiger was asked if he would be ready for The Masters in Augusta, Georgia (April 8-11). Tiger responded that he hopes so, but it will depend on the doctor’s evaluation. It sure will!
Tiger has had five back surgeries and five knee surgeries. Most will remember that Tiger came on the scene when he appeared on the Mike Douglas television show in 1978 accompanied by his father Earl, who was his mentor and staunch encourager. On that show, Tiger demonstrated his putting and golf swing to the amazement of Douglas and his viewing audience. His amateur play was about as auspicious as it could get. He turned professional at age of 20 and began winning immediately.
He won four PGA Tour events including his first major, The Masters, winning by 12 strokes at the (youngest ever) age of 21. He has continued winning with 82 PGA Tour wins tying Sam Snead’s record.
Photo by my son Michael Tunney: Tiger Woods on the 2nd green.
With Tiger as his idol, Colin Morikawa won the World Golf Championship in Bradenton, Florida by a 3-stroke advantage. This was the first PGA tournament following Tiger’s accident. His presence was prominent at the WGC with several players adopting Tiger’s wardrobe style of traditionally wearing black pants and a red shirt on the final (fourth) day of the tournament.
Morikawa, who was a year old when Tiger turned pro, was also planning on that type of wardrobe, but his ordered package failed to arrive on time. Colin had a tear in his eye in his TV exit interview.
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