What Is Biggest Hurdle for Tiger Woods Once He Decides To Return?

Tiger Woods announced Monday that after previously committing to this week’s Genesis Invitational, he would instead withdraw following the recent death of his mother, Kultida.

“I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,” the tournament host posted to social media. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss. Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my Mom’s passing.”

His decision is unequivocally understandable, recalling memories of nearly two decades ago, when he took a nine-week absence after his father Earl passed, only to come back at the U.S. Open and miss the cut, later admitting he’d returned too soon.

It remains to be seen when and where Tiger will return this time, now as a part-time player at the age of 49. It also remains to be seen whether he can return to some semblance of his past form when he does.

For those pondering the permutations of what-ifs and maybes, trying to rationalize how and why Woods might shock the world once again, well, you’re not alone.

“You know, his swing looked pretty good at TGL…”

No lies told, though anyone who expected Tiger to stand inside an arena and not be able to figure out how to hit an 8-iron clearly doesn’t know the man. His capacity for traversing a treacherous golf course and post under-par scores over four days can be questioned, but not his ability to swing a golf club.

“… and he’s always loved proving everybody wrong…”

For all the quiet inner confidence that Woods has carried throughout his career, there’s always been more of a gleam in his eye when it’s hinted that he hasn’t done something or – dare anyone suggest it – can’t do something. It’s this passion which has served as the fuel for myriad comebacks over the years.

“… and he’s got some extra motivation after his mom’s recent passing.”

Only time will tell exactly what impact Kultida’s death will have on Tiger as both a person and a golfer, but as he wrote in a social media post, she was his “biggest fan” and “greatest supporter.” When his father Earl passed away in 2006, Tiger followed that missed cut at the U.S. Open with an emotional victory at The Open Championship one month later.

Prior to withdrawing from this week’s tournament at Torrey Pines, Woods had outright odds of +20000, tied for 66th-longest in the 72-player field. All of which helps explain what I’ve long believed is his biggest hurdle in returning to some level of success, whether long-term or just for a singular event.

If we’ve learned anything while observing professional golf over the past few decades, it’s that we should never say never when it comes to Tiger, who’s triumphed in the wake of scandal and injury.

It might seem unlikely that a man who’s continually reminded us that “Father Time is undefeated” will revert to his prime performance just a year from becoming eligible for the senior circuit, with health, form and a lack of reps all contributing to that feeling. That biggest hurdle, though, has less to do with Tiger himself and more to do with everyone else.

Whenever he decides to return and however much he decides to compete once he does, Woods won’t only need to be healthy enough to practice and prep for tournament golf; he won’t only need to hit good shots and make some birdies.

He’ll need to defeat a cadre of elite-level golfers who are half his age, from established superstars such as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy to up-and-coming talents such as Ludvig Aberg, Sahith Theegala and Tom Kim.

Whether he’s playing major championships or signature tournaments or other full-field events, from this time forward Woods will be competing against players who are healthier than him, who can better prepare for these events, who will simply have more opportunities than him.

None of which should be too daunting for Woods, who’s never shied away from a challenge. Whether he returns at next month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational or the following week’s Players Championship or the Masters Tournament a month later, he’ll return on his own terms once he’s had more time to grieve and heal.

As for how he’ll play, well, that remains to be seen, but those holding out hope for optimism certainly aren’t alone.