Stay in the Game Leadership Spotlight: Tiger Woods Roars Back to the Game of Golf

At his first press conference following his self-inflicted near fatal auto accident in February 2021 that resulted in multiple leg fractures and narrowly missed amputations, 45-year-old pro championship golfer Tiger Woods addressed his future in the sport in an interview with Golf Digest on November 29.?It was in this interview, he admitted that he has come to terms with the fact that he will never be the same player he once was.

“I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one day, never full-time ever again,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it.” He added, “I don’t have to compete and play against the best players in the world to have a great life. … I can still participate in the game of golf. I can still, if my leg gets OK, I can still click off a tournament here or there.” And so Tiger’s fans reconciled themselves that they had seen their golf idol for the last time in a championship tournament.

And yet, on the site of his last major championship win in 2019 at The Masters Golf Tournament, Woods surprisingly announced that he was so pleased with the progress he’d made on practice rounds over the last 14 months he would, in fact, play in The Master’s in early April 2022.?He would not only try to make ‘the tournament cut’, but was going to play to win it.?He was ‘back in the game’!

So, for the next four days, despite the consistent championship play of 24-year-old Scottie Scheffler who arrived at the tournament as the No. One Player in the world, all eyes seemed to be on Tiger with media and fans questioning:?Can he make “the cut”??How would his rehabilitated legs be able to walk the very challenging (aka ‘hilly’) Augusta National Golf Club course through 18 holes in each of the four days. Keep in mind, during the PGA Tour, golfers are not allowed to ride in golf carts unless they have a medical exemption, which Tiger declined to use. Could he actually finish the tournament??Could he really make it into the top 10 player competitive field of world class players under 30 years old?

The fans went wild when Woods shot a 1-under 71 in his highly scrutinized opening round. And when he sunk a 29-foot putt for a birdie on the 16th hole, he delivered his trademark fist pump and was quoted as saying “To end up in the red (after this first round) is where I need to be”.

However, as the tournament progressed, Tiger was playing with a noticeable limp and seemed to be losing strength because of the arduous walking.?He not only didn’t win the Masters but ended up with a -13 over par score (at a final ranking of 47).?But he finished and was smiling ear to ear as he walked up to the final 18th hole to a standing ovation from his fans.?In his final press conference when he was asked what his biggest take away was from the week: “Thankful. I am, I truly am”.?And the 25-year-old Master’s (and first time major) winner Scheffler, said: “He’s done so much for the game of golf. We’re so glad to have him back out here.”??

This 15-time major champion will not likely beat Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 championships. Despite being an incredible athlete and championship golfer since the age of 15, he has had his critics not only because of his personal life (his adultery, transgressions with prostitutes and the car accident) but because he seemed to think that his winning ability entitled him to get a ‘free pass’ on treating some of his fans and golfing colleagues’ with disdain.

However, his willingness to endure incredible pain and yet smile and joke with fellow golfers during the 4 days of the Masters tournament seemed to amplify his popularity. Even die-hard critics who didn’t want him to beat Nicklaus’s record were sympathetic to his potentially career-ending circumstances and when he played in his first tournament with his young son Charlie in early 2022 found themselves cheering him on.?And even more so when he declared himself ready to ‘stay in the game’ at the Masters.

What seems to be clear is he is willing to endure whatever pain is in his future in order to keep trying.? Probably not to satisfy his ambitious ego or concerns for his legacy.?But to finally build his relationships with his family, with his fellow golfers and his fans.?

Tiger knows he no longer needs to dominate the world of golf to be happy or to feel complete. But he wants to stay in the game anyway, and maybe be a role model for what it means to truly be a champion…win or lose.

WHAT ARE THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM TIGER’S COMEBACK?

Tiger Woods is exhibiting three key qualities of “Stay in the Game Leadership":

• A KEEN FOCUS ON GOALS:?He realistically assessed his new physical challenges but worked hard to get himself into the best physical and mental shape possible to take on the challenge of a 72 hole championship course. As importantly, he basically said if I’m in it, I’m in it to win it.??
• PERSEVERENCE:?Tiger has been competing since he was in his early teens.?He came on the golf scene with a ‘roar’ and with some defensiveness.?What he has shown in his rehabilitation process is a determination to continue to play the game he loves, regardless of where he ends up at the final round.
• APPRECIATION FOR A LONGER-TERM LEGACY:?In his courage and gratefulness to be back in the game he seems to be taking a longer and larger view about what he can contribute to his family by not being on the tour full time, to his golfing colleagues who seem to be thankful for his competitive presence and to his fans for giving them something to believe in and admire.

By watching Tiger’s come back, we should be reminded that ‘stay in the game’ leadership is not just about keeping score or winning and losing.?It’s about following your passion and being the best that you can possibly be, even when the game and its challenges has changed.

Maybe a good team discussion would be to ask yourself and your team, what have we learned from Tiger Woods and stay in the game leadership?

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