In 2019 Tiger Woods won golf's most prestigious tournament: the Master, pulling off one of the most incredible comebacks in sports history. Incredible because after reaching the highest pinnacle of professional and personal success, including 14 major titles from 1997 to 2008 and plenty of additional PGA accolades, he was a rock star on and off the course and considered by many to be the GOAT in the sport.
Then, it all fell apart. After his last win in 2008, the injuries began to pile up. In 2010, while he officially still held the number one title, he had to withdraw from the Players Championship due to an inflamed facet joint in his neck. In 2011, with a sprain in his left knee and an Achilles tendon injury he still finished 4th at The Masters. And it goes on. Injury after injury, 5 back surgeries, years of rehab. For 11 years he just kept showing up to train and to play and not win...after nothing but winning. Add to that an infidelity scandal that ended his marriage, talk of addiction to prescription drugs and a DUI arrest. He was vilified in the media. Every attempt at a comeback during the 11 years seems to go nowhere. It seemed the public and the game of golf counted him out.
But Tiger kept showing up.
How many others have shown that level of perseverance? How many others would have slunk away into oblivion amidst the constant media criticism and scrutiny. But he kept trying. He just kept showing up.
Tiger broke barriers. When he was young, blacks weren't even allowed on most golf courses or clubs, so to be a man of color and win so many championships was incredible enough. But to see him win again after so many trials makes it all the sweeter. People often love to see stars fall, and so many judged him for the mistakes he made in his personal life. It's pretty mind-boggling how the public descends on the famous and revels in their failures. I guess because it makes great headlines. Many "regular folk" have professional failures or lie and cheat on their spouse, but the famous are hung out to dry and held to an unfairly high standard.
I'm not a golfer.- I actually think it is the most boring game ever. But I am a fan of Tiger Woods, the game's most famous (and infamous) player. He is the GOAT in the game of golf, but I believe his greatest legacy goes well beyond the game.
Tiger's comeback offers these lessons of hope
- That you can face a health challenge and come out on the other side and even stronger
- Your mindset is crucial. After his comeback win In an interview with CNN Tiger said: “I did think this day would come. I knew I had it in me.” His positive outlook and total belief that he would made it happen.
- Perseverance pays: Tiger never gave up. He committed himself yo daily practice, training, and rehab. He used every set back as motivation.
- Don't let the fear of failure and criticism stop you. He played tournaments for those 11 years with no wins. No one thought he'd ever make a comeback. He used that as an impetus to silence the naysayers
- An encore career is possible, even if we think all ur successes might be behind us.
Comebacks are possible...if you just keep showing up.
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