Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the PGA Championship at Southern Hills after a third-round 79 but golf fans just applauded his effort.
Golf fans can’t help but continue to admire Tiger Woods and the adversity that he overcame just to compete at The Masters and, a month later, this week’s 2022 PGA Championship. Even more awe-striking was Woods making the cut at Augusta and then doing so after a poor first round at Southern Hills as he answered with a 1-under round of 69 on Friday.
But throughout both rounds, it was apparent that Tiger was in a substantial amount of pain. That was even more obvious on Saturday in Round 3 as Woods struggled moving around in the cold conditions that took over Tulsa. Even worse, it showed most blatantly on his scorecard as Woods carded a 79 and dropped outside of the Top 70.
After the round, Woods was asked about the possibility of withdrawing from the tournament and he seemingly was open to idea, a shocking revelation given his competitive nature. Not long after the conclusion of the third round, the PGA of America revealed that Tiger Woods indeed has withdrawn from the tournament.
Tiger Woods has withdrawn after Round 3 from the 2022 PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/I4TiYAgvoM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 21, 2022
Tiger Woods withdraws at PGA Championship: Golf fans celebrate his effort
Rather than admonish the legendary figure in the sport, though, golf fans showed their appreciation for the grit and determination Woods showed to just grind it out and make the cut while showing up on Saturday.
Tiger's status seemed like it would linearly improve, like his week at ANGC was an inverse microcosm of his overall health. However, this week revealed that it's going to be far more volatile than that, which means he's probably going to keep showing up and hoping for the best.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) May 22, 2022
The fact that he made the cut is incredible. Hope he takes time to let his body heal. https://t.co/ys6MPI7Qnw
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) May 22, 2022
When Tiger withdraws pic.twitter.com/Y63gT0Qtwb
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) May 22, 2022
That sucks but I hope it’s good for him. I honestly want Tiger to relax, rehab, enjoy the game as he can play it in his current body, and then in a few years do for the champions tour what he did for golf in general back in the day. That’s the real fairy tale ending. https://t.co/auE7dAHn1M
— Jordan Heath-Rawlings (@TheGameSheet) May 22, 2022
@TigerWoods withdrawing from the final round of #PGAChampionship2022
— Carl Dukes (@putemupcdukes) May 22, 2022
Is just an indicator that he's not fully back. His competitive spirit has allowed him to return before schedule, but his body is telling him other wise. He will continue to play, but right now it's a struggle.
I asked Tiger on Friday night about the incentive to battle just to make the cut. "Well, you can't win the tournament if you miss the cut."
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) May 22, 2022
His spirit/determination etc is all beyond dispute but it's quite the leap within 24 hours to be unable to play.
i hope tiger woods doesn't feel like he has anything left to prove
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) May 22, 2022
Bottom line: Tiger is not winning this tournament and tomorrow can only do more harm than help to his physical condition.
— Dean Straka (@DWStraka49) May 21, 2022
That he even played in this tournament and made the cut … that is some insane resiliency and grit. https://t.co/iRuLWD6rp1
Tiger Woods withdraws from the PGA Championship, which is fine. But I think it is fair to wonder if he would WD if he were closer to the leaders.
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) May 21, 2022
That last tweet is certainly fair to ponder as Woods would almost surely fight through it if he had a chance to win.
On the whole, though, it might be a good thing for Woods in the long run to take the round off and let his body recover. If he plans on playing the U.S. Open at Brookline, he will have a similar toll taken on him by hilly, rough terrain. The best thing he can do is to take it easy where he can.
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