He was responding to a widespread interpretation of an earlier news conference at which his uncharacteristically frank answers suggested his career might be over.
“I know there will be a time when I will get to rehab, get to start working out again, and I’ll do everything I can to get back out here.”
Down to 416 in the world rankings, Woods is largely confined to his sofa. He talks, though, of wanting to win more tournaments, adding to a list of 79 PGA Tour victories and to be a playing vice-captain at the next Ryder Cup.
The record books suggest a golfer’s life is far from over at 40. Vijay Singh, one of the few players to muscle in on Woods’ 623 weeks as world number one, won 22 times after his 40th birthday.
Ben Hogan, who overcame the effects of a car crash that nearly killed him, won the next three majors after reaching that age in August 1952.
Nicklaus had five wins after that landmark, including the three majors that took his tally to his record of 18.
And it is Nicklaus to whom Woods has most regularly been compared. But their sporting vocations have differing characteristics.
“Jack Nicklaus’ career was so long,” observed the respected Golf Channel pundit Brandel Chamblee.
“He won his major championships over 24 years, spanned three generations, but Tiger Woods dominated in a way that had never been done before and will never be done again.”
