Just nine holes into the first round of The 2011 Players Championship, Tiger Woods withdrew because of leg injuries and said he was having a hard time walking. Some are saying it was because of the 42 he shot on the front nine that included two bogeys and a triple bogey in his first five holes. He pulled out of this golf tournament in the final round last year because of a neck injury.
His knee has undergone four operations, the latest problem being a sprained ligament and Achilles at the Masters. He shot a 67 in the final round of the tournament, showing signs that he was getting comfortable in his revamped swing. He hasn’t won in 20 months and he’ll likely miss more practice before next month’s U.S. Open.
Many are speculating this is the end for Woods. But he’s only 35 years old. Jack Nicklaus didn’t start this type of decline until his mid-40s. He won the 2008 U.S. Open basically on one leg at the age of 32. It was his 14th professional major and he looked on track to beat Nicklaus’ record of 18. At the end of 2009, Sam Snead’s all-time PGA Tour wins record of 82 was in danger with Woods at 71. He needed 12 wins and five more majors to become the undisputed greatest golfer of all time. But the last 18 months have been a disaster and we’re stuck wondering if he’ll ever win again.
Nick Watney is at the top of the leaderboard at The Players Championship at 8-under. Lucas Golver is second at 7-under, and Mark O’Meara and David Toms are both at 6-under. Martin Kaymer can return to being World No. 1 by winning or finishing alone in second. He shot a 67 for a tie at 5-under.
The Players Championship Outright Odds (provided by Ladbrokes)
Nick Watney: 5/1
Martin Kaymer: 10/1
Luke Donald: 12/1
Lucas Glover: 12/1
Ben Crane: 16/1
Graeme McDowell: 16/1
Phil Mickelson: 20/1
David Toms: 20/1
Matt Kuchar: 25/1
Steve Stricker: 25/1
Rory Sabbatini: 25/1
Jason Day: 33/1
J.B. Holmes: 33/1
Fredrik Jacobson: 33/1
Hunter Mahan: 40/1
Alvaro Quiros: 40/1
K.J. Choi: 50/1
Robert Allenby: 50/1
Davis Love III: 50/1