American golfer, Tiger Woods has said he feels lucky to be alive and described his recovery from a life-threatening car accident in February 2021, as the toughest of his career.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his February car crash, Tiger Woods stated this during a press conference ahead of the Hero World Challenge.
The 15-time major champion had undergone surgery 10 times prior to the incident in Los Angeles and was in hospital for three weeks after the crash before continuing his rehabilitation at home.
Woods, who is in the Bahamas hosting the Hero World Challenge starting on Thursday, told reporters this recovery process “has been much more difficult” for him than in the past when he’s had leg surgery.
“The knee stuff, that’s one level,” he explained. “With the leg, it’s hard to explain how difficult this has been. … It’s been a lot of hard work. … There were some tough times in there.”
“I was just looking forward to getting outside. That was a goal of mine. Especially for a person who has lived his entire life outside, that was the goal. Finally got to that point when transitioned from wheelchair to crutches to now nothing. It has been a lot of hard work.
“It has been tough at times. Yes, some dark moments, but then again, as I was making progress through it, too, I could see some light and that was giving me hope. I’m able to participate more with my kids and their activities and more just in life in general.
“I’m lucky to be alive but also still to have the limb. Those are two crucial things. I’m very grateful that someone upstairs was taking care of me, that I’m able to not only be here but also to walk without a prosthesis.”
Woods noted his children have been more familiar with him being injured than playing golf. Played call of duty when they were at school. Masters was an important binding moment for all of us. Do activities with them now, talk to them and see them grow up.
