Miami – Tiger Woods, a former world number one who is recovering from severe leg injuries sustained in a 2021 automobile accident, dropped to a career-low 1,206th place in the world golf rankings revealed on Monday.
The 15-time major champion, second only to Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major victories on the all-time list, dropped seven positions below his previous worst ranking, which he achieved in 2017 following back surgery.
Woods held the top spot in the world rankings for a record 683 weeks, but fell due to various back and leg problems.
Last weekend, Woods surprised fans by playing his nine-hole par-3 course, The Hay at Pebble Beach, posting social media updates demonstrating his putting and driving prowess, and trekking steep terrain as well.
Woods, who is tied with Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour victories with 82, has made a limited comeback since suffering leg injuries in a one-car accident in Southern California in February 2021, which left him hospitalized for weeks and bedridden for months.
After a 14-month sabbatical, he returned to compete last April in the Masters, where he finished 47th after walking 72 holes at Augusta National.
In his most recent start, the 46-year-old legend withdrew after three rounds at the PGA Championship in May at Southern Hills and missed the cut in the British Open in July at St. Andrews.
Woods’s Hero World Challenge invitational charity event, which begins on 1 December in the Bahamas, has been the focus of most of the speculation around his return to competition.
Seventeen players were announced for the Challenge last week, with three exemptions available, including one for Woods if he desires to participate.
AFP