Tiger won with torn ligament and 2 fractures

[Rhino2K]

Tiger won US Open with torn ligament, 2 fractures

 

By DOUG FERGUSON

AP Golf Writer

 

Tiger Woods walked tenderly out of Torrey Pines with a U.S. Open trophy he was destined to win on a left leg worse than anyone imagined. A group of children called out to him and Woods looked over and waved. It turned out to be a most symbolic gesture. So long, Tiger. See you next year.

 

Woods revealed Wednesday he has been playing for at least 10 months with a torn ligament in his left knee, and that he suffered a double stress fracture in his left leg two weeks before the U.S. Open. He said he will have season-ending surgery, knocking him out of the final two majors and the Ryder Cup.

 

"Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee," Woods said on his Web site.

 

He sure wasn't listening to doctors by playing the U.S. Open, a victory that now looks even more impressive.

 

Out of competition for two months because of April 15 surgery to clean out cartilage in his left knee, he suffered a double stress fracture in his left tibia two weeks before the U.S. Open.

 

Hank Haney, his swing coach, was with him in Florida when doctors told Woods the preferred treatment was three weeks on crutches, followed by three weeks of rest.

 

According to Haney, Woods looked at the doctor and said: "I'm playing the U.S. Open, and I'm going to win."

 

"And then he started putting on his shoes," Haney recalled. "He looked at me and said, 'Come on, Hank. We'll just putt today.' Every night, I kept thinking there was no chance he's going to play. He had to stop in his tracks for 30 seconds walking from the dining room table to the refrigerator.

 

"He was not going to miss the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. There just wasn't any discussion."

 

And it was a U.S. Open that will be talked about for years.

 

Despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a double stress fracture, Woods managed to win a major that required five days of flinching, grimacing and a long list of spectacular shots that have defined his career.

 

He went 91 holes on a leg that got worse with each day, finally defeating Rocco Mediate on the 19th hole of a playoff.

 

"When I talk about golf, he doesn't count," Mediate said Monday after the playoff. "He's not normal."

 

Woods, 32, did not say when he would have surgery, but he canceled a clinic that was scheduled for Tuesday at Comerica Park in Detroit. Haney said the typical recovery is six to eight months. This will be Woods' third surgery in five years on his left knee.

 

"There will be debate whether he rushed back for the U.S. Open," said Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG. "But I don't think there will be any debate that he rushes back from his next surgery. He won't need to. Augusta is in April. And if things go according to plan, he'll be able to play an event or two or three."

 

Woods first went to Haney toward the end of 2002 to overhaul a violent swing that was putting enormous pressure on his left knee. Haney suspects the pain has been increasing, and Woods stopped hitting balls after his rounds at last year's British Open.

 

"He's been playing way less than 100 percent for a long, long, time," Haney said. "It has limited him a lot in practice. He's going to come back better than he's ever been."

 

Woods was already plenty good, with 65 victories that rank third all-time on the PGA Tour, and 14 professional majors that are second only to the record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus. This is the 500th week Woods has been ranked No. 1 in the world.

 

Even in his abbreviated 2008 season, he won five of seven tournaments worldwide. Dating to the discovery of the torn ACL, Woods won nine of 12 tournaments, including two majors, and never finished lower than fifth.

 

"While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy," Woods said. "My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."

 

Woods will miss a major for the first time in his career - the British Open next month at Royal Birkdale and the PGA Championship, where Woods is the two-time defending champion, in August at Oakland Hills in Michigan.

 

"Tiger is an enormous attraction, there's no denying that," Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said. "But the Open Championship has had many exciting finishes which Tiger has not been part of, and I'm sure there will be more. It's very sad. We're very sorry that he's succumbed to the injury and he won't be competing in the Open.

 

"We hope he has the speediest recovery."

 

Woods also will miss the Ryder Cup in September, meaning the ninth player in the U.S. standings will qualify for the team. Coincidentally, Woods had mathematically clinched a spot on the team by winning the U.S. Open.

 

"We sent him flowers for winning the U.S. Open. Now I wish I had put in a note of condolences," U.S. captain Paul Azinger quipped. "But this is not about Tiger and the Ryder Cup. It's about Tiger getting better and his march to history."

 

The majors won't miss Woods nearly as much as the PGA Tour - and the networks that televise it - especially in the second year of the FedEx Cup, which Woods won in a landslide last year.

 

He still might be leading the points race in August leading to the playoffs. Even with Woods no longer playing the rest of the year, he will keep his spot in the playoff events for which he is eligible.

 

"Tiger is our tour," Kenny Perry said from the Travelers Championship, which starts Thursday at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut. "When you lose your star player, it definitely hurts."

 

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said his concern was for Woods' health and well being.

 

"We wish him the best toward a speedy recovery," he said.

 

Woods is private about his health and personal life, never more so than at the just-completed U.S. Open. He didn't say anything about the torn ACL or the stress fractures, and wouldn't say how he was treating it, only that it was more sore as the week went on.

 

Perhaps the biggest surprise was when the injury first happened.

 

Woods said he tore the ACL while jogging at home after the British Open last July. He played on, going on a streak that included seven consecutive victories, including Dubai Desert Classic in Europe and his Target World Challenge, an unofficial event.

 

He did not play overseas late last year for the first time since 2003, hopeful that rest could allow him to play more this year. But the pain intensified through the Masters, where he finished second, and Woods said the cartilage damage developed from the ACL injury.

 

He bypassed surgery on the torn ligament April 15, hopeful that by cleaning out the cartilage he could make it through the year. What he didn't anticipate were the stress fractures as he tried to get ready for the Memorial.

 

"The stress fractures that were discovered just prior to the tournament unfortunately prevented me from participating and had a huge impact on the timing for my return," Woods said. "I was determined, though, to do everything and anything in my power to play in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which is a course that is close to where I grew up and holds many special memories for me."

 

Woods won for the eighth time at the public golf course in San Diego - a U.S. Open, a record six times at the Buick Invitational, and a Junior World Championship as a teenager.

 

He called his U.S. Open victory "probably the best ever."

 

On Wednesday, he explained why.

___________________________________________________________

Love him or hate him, this guy is amazing!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest bleeds]

I don't know who this Ferguson guy is that wrote that article, but he's dead wrong. Tiger was FAKING it so he'd have an excuse if he lost because he was playing so poorly.

 

People will make up anything.

 

Ligaments and fractures. Please.

[Straw]

I don't know who this Ferguson guy is that wrote that article, but he's dead wrong. Tiger was FAKING it so he'd have an excuse if he lost because he was playing so poorly.

 

People will make up anything.

 

Ligaments and fractures. Please.

 

 

Hard for me to feel sorry for an ugly rich guy with a supermodel wife!

[Cats51]

The Trinity Mother Frances Dr. on Sportstalk did a great job of explaining the injury yesterday. She was surprised his knee didn't come apart. Apparently she didn't consult with our own, "Mr. Scratch."

[Guest imyahuckleberry]

Saw on SportsCenter where Goosen made the comment that " He only seemed to be in pain when he he hit an errant shot".

 

To which Andy North replied " I feel sorry for Goosen the next time they are paired together."

[ETBU89]

I sure feel sorry for his wife.... Men do NOT make good patients. Especially men who are so used to being on the go. He'll have pain pills; wonder what the doctor will prescribe for her??? ;)

 

BTW - do ANY men ever listen to their doctors????? :hmm: :no:

[Cats51]

I sure feel sorry for his wife.... Men do NOT make good patients. Especially men who are so used to being on the go. He'll have pain pills; wonder what the doctor will prescribe for her??? ;)

 

BTW - do ANY men ever listen to their doctors????? :hmm: :no:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I agree. It's almost like the media needed a story just in case Tiger lost" Your original post. Have you changed your mind that.......now he really is hurt?

[Guest bleeds]

I sure feel sorry for his wife.... Men do NOT make good patients. Especially men who are so used to being on the go. He'll have pain pills; wonder what the doctor will prescribe for her??? ;)

 

BTW - do ANY men ever listen to their doctors????? :hmm: :no:

 

 

Man hater.

[ETBU89]

:happy65: Finally, I've been vindicated!!!! LOL!

 

Not a man hater - just a realist. Bleeds, if the doctor were to tell you (or any other man) that you had to rest for six weeks - no lifting or bending (we won't include mowing or yardwork - LOL!) - but after four weeks, you felt great - you would continue resting? :rolleyes: I just have a hard time believing that!

 

That's funny!!!

[ETBU89]

"I agree. It's almost like the media needed a story just in case Tiger lost" Your original post. Have you changed your mind that.......now he really is hurt?

 

 

I never said that he was not really hurt. I was commenting on the media and their obsession with Tiger. Rocco's victory - had he won - would have been forever tarnished by the media as a victory he only won because Tiger was not at his best. Maybe a win in the books with an asterisk beside it. I posted yesterday that I felt Tiger had downplayed his injury and pain because he did not want to take away any of the glory from his friend Rocco.

 

I never said Tiger was not injured or playing injured.

[Cats51]

Allow me to refresh your memory:

 

 

 

As the media let everyone know constantly, Tigers knee was in agonizing pain all week right? Well it seemed to me it was only bothering him when he hit an errant shot. It looked perfectly fine when he was draining eagles from everywhere and he was running and hoping around on that ( bum ) knee. Personally i have had knee surgery similar to his and played in a

 

 

 

"I agree" You said that.

 

[Guest bleeds]

:happy65: Finally, I've been vindicated!!!! LOL!

 

Not a man hater - just a realist. Bleeds, if the doctor were to tell you (or any other man) that you had to rest for six weeks - no lifting or bending (we won't include mowing or yardwork - LOL!) - but after four weeks, you felt great - you would continue resting? :rolleyes: I just have a hard time believing that!

 

That's funny!!!

 

 

You not only make assumptions about what I may or may not do, you also stereotype.

[ETBU89]

Twisted, I agreed with his first statement that the media continually talked about the injury - not even Tiger talked about it. I made it clear I was talking about the media coverage. I never said that Tiger was faking. I wouldn't have known whether he was or not. I don't know the man, never met the man, never talked to the man. You've made assumptions that were inaccurate. Guess I'll have to be a lot clearer in my posts.

 

Bleeds, you didn't disagree with my point.... :rolleyes: If you would follow the doctor's orders to the letter, then my apologies to you. :flowers: I know of no men who would, and the women at work with whom I discussed this have all agreed with me.

[Cats51]

Explanation accepted.

[Guest bleeds]

Bleeds, you didn't disagree with my point.... :rolleyes: If you would follow the doctor's orders to the letter, then my apologies to you. :flowers: I know of no men who would, and the women at work with whom I discussed this have all agreed with me.

 

 

I was off work with a back injury for 3 1/2 months. I followed the doctor's orders to the letter.

 

You said men (collective) do not make good patients. That's stereotyping. I could just as easily say women are gossiping malcontents who when together take great pleasure in trashing their husbands. I won't, but that statement would be no less stereotypical than yours.

 

But you do make a valid point. Not only valid, but it is the point I made about Tiger. Men who do not follow orders when they are sick/injured do so because of the need to "do". Now, all men "do" different things. I fight fires and cook. Tiger wins golf tourneys. But there is built within the man an innate need to do what they do in order to provide, etc. That doesn't make us bad patients. It shows that we desire to provide for our families, etc.

 

Not the same. In fact, being a bad patient and bending doctors' orders, while not mutually exclusive, are certainly not mutually inclusive.

 

Man hater.

[ETBU89]

LOL! When I brought it up at lunch today, the men argued that they didn't have doctor's orders to obey because they didn't go to the doctor! It seemed everyone had a tale to tell, and most were absolutely hilarious!

 

Your last point: you wrote MAN hater - singular. I've been trying to come up with the name of one man I hate. It's hard - I hate actions - I can't hate someone I don't know .... I think if I were to have to name one, though, it would have to be ...

 

:hmm:

 

:no:

 

:hmm:

 

How about ... any man who harms a defenseless person, such as a child, senior citizen, a physically or mentally handicapped individual, etc. That's about as close to hating a person as I can get.

 

:bye: Have a great day!

 

 

[Guest bleeds]

You've managed to conveniently dodge my points. Not unexpected.

[ETBU89]

To what points have I not responded? Some didn't need a response; I don't usually respond just to be argumentative.

 

Women are gossiping busybodies? many I know are - I suppose many do bash their husbands. I don't usually spend time with women like that. Too negative....

 

Do I know of a man who makes a good patient? nope

 

Do I know of a man who follows doctor's orders to the letter? nope - not even my dad

 

I already told you that if you were the type of man who followed doctor's orders to the letter, then I apologized.

 

I won't make any more comments about Tiger's injury. I still feel sorry for his wife because I don't think an active man like Tiger will make a good patient. He's going to want to get up and go. It's a woman thing, Bleeds. Different perspective.

[Guest bleeds]

To what points have I not responded? Some didn't need a response; I don't usually respond just to be argumentative.

 

Women are gossiping busybodies? many I know are

 

Do I know of a man who makes a good patient? nope

 

Do I know of a man who follows doctor's orders to the letter? nope - not even my dad

 

I already told you that if you were the type of man who followed doctor's orders to the letter, then I apologized.

 

I won't make any more comments about Tiger's injury. I still feel sorry for his wife because I don't think an active man like Tiger will make a good patient. He's going to want to get up and go. It's a woman thing, Bleeds. Different perspective.

 

 

My whole point was that you generalized/stereotyped men with your comment. But now you've changed it to include only Tiger. So be it.

 

You avoided my point about why men disobey doctors' orders. They do it because of the innate desire/need to be able to get up and even though sick or injured, at least make an attempt to provide for those that are in their charge. And they/we deserve credit for that.

 

What Tiger did was admireable. I still believe he would have done it if there had been no purse involved because he is driven. You say you understand about drive and determination, but then go on to demean men who feel the need to get up and "do" when they are sick/injured. I don't believe you understand about drive or determination at all. If you did, you would have recognized that very drive and determination in Tiger during the tournament, you wouldn't have bashed him as you did, and we wouldn't be having this discussion now.

 

You have once again made my point. It is a different perspective coming from a women. But in today's society, advertisements, tv shows, churches, etc., the male is painted as a whiney, incompetent, inept, lazy baby. Watch tv for a couple of hours and then tell me I'm wrong. Your generalizations continues that stereotype.

 

Ever thought that the reason you think men make lousy patients might be because you might be a lousy nurse? The compassionate feel compassion. Those who do not possess that quality do not.

 

I know you think I'm picking on you. I am not. But I grew weary years ago of hearing/seeing/reading "Men are/are not ________________."

 

BTW, remember, it was you who said women are gossiping busybodies, not me.

[Cats51]

My whole point was that you generalized/stereotyped men with your comment. But now you've changed it to include only Tiger. So be it.

 

You avoided my point about why men disobey doctors' orders. They do it because of the innate desire/need to be able to get up and even though sick or injured, at least make an attempt to provide for those that are in their charge. And they/we deserve credit for that.

 

What Tiger did was admireable. I still believe he would have done it if there had been no purse involved because he is driven. You say you understand about drive and determination, but then go on to demean men who feel the need to get up and "do" when they are sick/injured. I don't believe you understand about drive or determination at all. If you did, you would have recognized that very drive and determination in Tiger during the tournament, you wouldn't have bashed him as you did, and we wouldn't be having this discussion now.

 

You have once again made my point. It is a different perspective coming from a women. But in today's society, advertisements, tv shows, churches, etc., the male is painted as a whiney, incompetent, inept, lazy baby. Watch tv for a couple of hours and then tell me I'm wrong. Your generalizations continues that stereotype.

 

Ever thought that the reason you think men make lousy patients might be because you might be a lousy nurse? The compassionate feel compassion. Those who do not possess that quality do not.

 

I know you think I'm picking on you. I am not. But I grew weary years ago of hearing/seeing/reading "Men are/are not ________________."

 

BTW, remember, it was you who said women are gossiping busybodies, not me.

 

 

 

Bleeds, were you on the debate team? You speak very eloquently. Very good perspective youv'e written here. :happy65:

[UwishUnew]

is this a post pretty much bashing the one i posted before tiger had decided to end his season.

[Guest bleeds]

is this a post pretty much bashing the one i posted before tiger had decided to end his season.

 

 

No, this is the post that proved you didn't know what you talking about in the other thread.

[BluePirate]

No, this is the post that proved you didn't know what you talking about in the other thread.

 

Seems UwishUnew is still wishing he "new". :w00t:

[Cats51]

"Senor Scratch" is back!!!