Tiger Woods boarded a jet to travel to France Sunday evening to prepare for the 42nd Ryder Cup, which begins tomorrow at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, 20 miles outside of Paris. But he could have floated there on cloud nine after his remarkable victory just hours earlier at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
The 42-year-old Woods, who had deep concerns about his long-term quality of life less than two years ago after experiencing debilitating and persistent pain in his back, leading to an addictive dependency on prescription pain medication, came to terms with the prospect of perhaps never golfing again. But after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April 2017, Woods slowly made his way back to the links.
His journey culminated with a two-stroke, 11-under par win over runner-up Billy Horschel Sunday. Although it wasn’t a major, of which he has captured 14, Woods’ first place finish at the Tour Championship, which fielded the world’s top golfers, was still one of the greatest and most gratifying of his career.
It was Woods’ first title since 2013. To be exact 1,876 days. Given the obstacles he has overcome, it was understandable Woods displayed unrestrained emotion after tapping in a short putt to affirm his golf resurrection.
“At the beginning of this year this was a tall order,” said Woods. “But I proved I could progress and I put it together. I was trying hard not to cry during that final hole. I said ‘Hey, I could still blade this thing out of bounds.’”
He continued, “Once I got the ball on the green I gave [my caddie] Joey [La Cava] a high-five because it was done and I could handle that from there. I just can’t believe I pulled it off. It’s been tough. I’ve had a not so easy last couple of years. It’s just hard to believe I’ve won.”
Woods’ showing at the Tour Championship also furthered his status as one of the most compelling athletes in history who dynamically moves television ratings needles. The Golf Channel reported the final round of the Tour drew an overnight rating of 5.21, an astonishing 206 percent rise from last year’s telecast.
Now he will help lead the U.S. contingent against Europe in the Ryder Cup. The United States has not won the Cup on European soil since 1993. A strong individual performance and U.S. win in France would cap an unlikely comeback for Woods, one that seemingly has a few more magical days remaining.