Tiger Woods’ injury and future, the Match, Viktor Hovland

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest subjects in the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us @golf_com. This week, our group discusses Tiger Woods’ injury and prospects for 2023, this week’s Match and Viktor Hovland’s win at the Hero World Challenge.

1. Set to return to competitors at the Hero World Challenge, an occasion his basis hosts, Tiger Woods tweeted on Monday that he developed plantar fasciitis in his proper foot and needed to withdraw. Woods additionally admitted he had a few surgical procedures in the previous yr, however didn’t elaborate. Does Woods’ newest well being replace offer you extra pessimism about his future to compete than what you believed earlier than?

Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@joshsens):  The clock ticks for everybody. Woods is not any exception. Like lots of people, I’ve underestimated his capability to bounce again so many instances that I’m hesitant to brief him once more. But at this level, the home of playing cards that’s his well being appears simply too fragile for any critical optimism. At this level, to count on him to play all 4 majors subsequent yr is to overestimate him.

James Colgan, Assistant Editor (@jamescolgan26): I don’t assume any short-term injury qualifies as “increasing” my pessimism in Tiger’s long-term well being considerations. If one thing winds up being the last blow to his taking part in profession, it received’t be plantar fasciitis. 

Jack Hirsh, Assistant Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Agree with each my colleagues above. It’s laborious to depend Woods out and it’s additionally unlikely plantar fasciitis knocks him out for good. I’ll say understanding this injury was attributable to the earlier ones doesn’t bode nicely for his enhancing sturdiness to play greater than he did in 2022.

2. While Woods didn’t play the Hero, he’s nonetheless teeing it up the subsequent two weekends. He additionally talked about his aim for 2023 is to play in all 4 majors and “maybe” one or two extra occasions. Two parter: What are these different one or two occasions he may be pondering of, and what’s the p.c likelihood he performs 4 majors subsequent yr?

Sens. After Augusta, you’d assume the main he most needs to play in is the Open at Liverpool, the place he received earlier than. But as the final of the 4, I feel it’s additionally the least seemingly look for him. The longer the season goes, the higher likelihood of a well being concern arising that even he can’t overcome. He’ll play the Masters, however I’m not banking on something after that. I’m certain he’d like to play the Memorial, however that’s a tricky stroll. Bay Hill? It’s comparatively flat and he’s received it a zillion instances. 

Colgan: 15 p.c, and right here’s a easy purpose why: Do YOU wish to go to Rochester in May? No, you don’t. Does a participant with long-standing well being points associated to chilly climate wish to go, both? No, they don’t. I feel we see him in Augusta, L.A. and Liverpool, although.

Hirsh: The PGA ought to have foreseen this when it moved the event to May! Keep the PGA in the southern states whereas the U.S. Open takes the northern states. Anyway, I’ll give him a 30-percent likelihood he performs in all 4 majors. I agree with James that the PGA is the one he’s almost certainly to skip this yr. I feel the greatest query on his schedule is whether or not he’s prepared to threat his physique to play at Riviera, the place he’s additionally internet hosting. Could his duties show an excessive amount of to play and host? Will he threat getting harm once more two months earlier than the Masters? Check again in February.

3. Our Dylan Dethier was on website and wrote about Woods’ freewheeling presser in the Bahamas. What was your greatest takeaway from Woods’ time with the media?

Sens: Free-wheeling? I suppose it was by Tiger’s requirements. But what struck me extra was how shut he performs all the things to the vest —mentioning surgical procedures however then declining to say what he was coping with. Why the caginess? Was it like a kind of outdated adverts: “An itch so private, some people won’t even discuss it with their doctor?” Probably not. You surprise if there was any good purpose for not saying extra. Or is the guardedness simply so ingrained that there’s actually no different option to go?

Colgan: Sens, I don’t know many issues, however I’m fairly sure I’ve by no means seen a kind of adverts. Sounds terrifying! I feel Tiger realizes his phrases are his legacy’s greatest protection proper now. Good on him for taking part in protection!

Hirsh: Glad I’m not the just one, James. Related to our earlier query, my greatest takeaway was how optimistic he was together with his schedule. Does Tiger actually assume he can play 5 – 6 instances subsequent yr? As I discussed above, I feel 4 instances may be the bar, whether or not or not it’s three majors and certainly one of the invitationals, or all 4 majors. To add a pair extra in what has change into such a condensed schedule appears terrible formidable for the man who’s had extra surgical procedures than simply about any athlete I do know and turns 47 this month. 

4. The newest iteration of the Match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy taking up Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. What are you hoping to see from this one from an leisure/manufacturing standpoint?

Sens: That Tiger performs and not using a wince or a hitch in his step, and that he and Rory wax the kids whereas delivering some good verbal barbs alongside the method.

Colgan: LIV has been at the middle of each golf course dialog for the previous 9 months. This occasion is *supposed* to deliver followers right into a day on the course with golf’s high gamers. If it’s true to kind, LIV will likely be on the minds of these in the discipline. Give me LIV discourse, or give me demise!

Hirsh: I discussed final week how I’m not too excessive on the Match sequence. That being mentioned, these guys are all good mates so the trash speak ought to make this a little bit extra attention-grabbing than the Brooks-Bryson snooze fest from final yr.

5. Viktor Hovland, regardless of a scare on the 18th, received the Hero World Challenge for a second-straight yr. Carrying him was placing — on Saturday, he had 23 putts, on Sunday, 24. If Hovland’s flatstick stays someplace in that zone, what do you see from him going ahead? 

Sens: Putting is all the time a difference-maker. But giving a monster ball striker like Hovland a completely red-hot flat stick can be like giving Sauron the One Ring. A big handful of wins. Probably a serious. Possible world domination. Even Middle Earth can be in play. But let’s not get forward of ourselves. It was one week.

Colgan: Man, it’s laborious to know the place Vik’s ceiling is till we see him win extra often throughout the glut of the common season. As of proper now, fall season king feels becoming.

Hirsh: I’ll amend that title to “tropical paradise king.” Hovland has received in Puerto Rico, Mexico twice and now the Bahamas twice. As for his placing, you possibly can form of put him in the identical class as Collin Morikawa. When they acquired the flat stick working, few are going to beat them. If they don’t, hitting iron pictures can get you solely thus far whenever you’re lacking the putts.