Tiger Woods is back in the public spotlight, but this time, it’s for the reason most would suspect. After a slew of scandals dropped public perception of the athlete, many were unsure if he would ever recover. But after last weekend, no one is doubting him anymore.
That day, Sept. 23, the celebrity golfer took first place at the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta. It marked his first PGA tour win in since 2013, and his 80th overall on the PGA Tour. It was also his fifth time placing first in the tournament.
Crowds cheered, rushing in to greet Woods after he stepped away from the green of the 18th hole, ending with 11-under-par and edging out opponent Billy Herschel by two strokes. Word spread quickly from the tournament, and is now capturing the attention of sports fans across the world. The news has even spread back to Winthrop University, where the surprise has won him back the respect of many Eagles.
“I think it’s one of the greatest comebacks in sports history,” Winthrop Men’s Golf team member Sawyer Mills said.
Woods had fallen out of public favor following a 2009 car accident that drew intense speculation over supposed infidelity in his marriage. The disgrace saw numerous sponsorship deals leaving him, and an eventual divorce. In October 2017, he was arrested and charged with a $250 fine and 50 hours of community service for driving under the influence of drugs.
Woods’ return comes as a shock to many, not simply because of his brush with public scandal in years past, but also due to health. He had been recovering from a series of back surgeries the previous year, leaving his future as an athlete in question. To Winthrop Eagles, like Sawyer Mills, it was only a matter of time before he made his comeback.
“I am not surprised it happened,” Mills said, “I am just surprised it happened so soon.”
Even if it wasn’t completely unanticipated, Winthrop’s student athletes can’t help but express their excitement for Tiger Woods’ return to golfing fame.
“Some of my friends from other teams were pretty pumped about it,” Mills said, “anytime Tiger is involved with something in golf, there is an increase in the attention that it brings to the game.”
Winthrop Eagles are eagerly waiting to see if his newest PGA victory will mark the return of Woods to the forefront of the sports world, or if he will fade back into obscurity. All eyes are set on the upcoming Ryder Cup, where Woods is scheduled to play next.
“It’s one of the biggest events in golf and will be very fun to watch,” Mills said. “It’s hard to tell at this point, but if he continues to play he will definitely win again.”
The 2018 Ryder Cup will take place over the weekend from Sept. 28 through Sept. 30 at the Le Golf National in Paris. Only time will tell if Tiger’s career is truly back.
