Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

Wednesday 29 november 2017 SPORTS
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Woods says he’s on the ‘other side’ of pain, loving life

By DOUG FERGUSON vitational, his 79th title on 15th in the 18-man field, he
AP Golf Writer the PGA Tour that leaves made 24 birdies, raising
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) him three short of tying Sam hopes. He never spoke of
— Tiger Woods says he is Snead’s record. That might being in pain last year, or
on the “other side” of too have been the last time he even at Torrey Pines in Jan-
many years relying on pain had reasonable health. uary. He then flew to Dubai
medication to cope with There were small signs of and withdrew after a 77,
his back surgeries, which back pain a week later at citing back spasms.
led to his arrest on a DUI the PGA Championship, The difference this time,
charge six months ago that and what followed were Woods said, is that he
he attributed to a bad mix three surgeries and a stop- doesn’t feel pain, and he
of prescription drugs. and-start schedule. Woods thinks now he can take on
“I’m loving life now,” he had his first back surgery, a any shot.
said Tuesday. microdiscectomy, a week He said when he looks
Woods is making yet an- before the 2014 Masters. back on his performance
other return to competi- Since then, there have last year in the Bahamas, it
tion this week at the Hero been four occasions where seems as though he were in
World Challenge, an 18- he returned either from slow motion.
man event with no cut at Tiger Woods speaks at a press conference at the Albany Golf back surgery or from tak- “I didn’t realize how bad
Albany Golf Club. It’s his first Club in Nassau, Bahamas, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. ing time off to let his injuries my back had become and
tournament in 10 months Associated Press heal. how much I was flinching
and his first time competing and a blinker on. living the way I was living The fourth surgery was to and just how slow I was,”
since fusion surgery in April, Toxicology reports revealed with my foot not working, fuse two discs in his lower he said.
the fourth operation on his that Woods had two pain- my leg not working and back. That was more about “I didn’t realize it because
back. killers (Vicodin and Dilau- then the hours of not be- the quality of life than try- it’s been a slow, degrad-
Early indications are that did), a sleep drug (Am- ing able to sleep at all be- ing to win a golf tourna- ing process. I thought I had
Woods is in a much bet- bien), an anti-anxiety drug cause of the pain.” ment. The fact that Woods some speed, thought I was
ter spot than when he re- (Xanax) and the active Woods attributed the Me- is even playing his holiday playing halfway decent,
turned a year ago in the ingredient for marijuana in morial Day arrest to “trying exhibition just over seven shot some good scores, but
Bahamas. According to his system. He went through to go away from the pain.” months after surgery, and now I’ve looked back on
those who played with him an in-patient treatment “I was trying to sleep, which six months after that em- it and man, I didn’t even
in recent weeks, his swing program to deal with pre- I hadn’t done in a very barrassing arrest, feels like have much at all.”
looks faster and more fluid, scription medication, and long time because of the a bonus. He’s not sure what he has
and Woods appears to be last month pleaded guilty things I’ve been dealing “I missed playing golf for now.
happy and healthy. to a reckless driving charge with,” he said. “So as my fun,” Woods said. “I hadn’t The tournament starts Thurs-
Woods reached a low that allowed him to avoid back improved, I’ve been done that in two years. I day. It will be the first time
point on Memorial Day jail time. able to start sleeping again played nine holes here and since Feb. 3 in Dubai that
when he was arrested in “I’ve come out the other because I don’t have the 18 holes here, and then I Woods has to count every
the middle of the night af- side and I feel fantastic,” nerve pain going down have to take three days off shot.
ter Florida police found his Woods said. “A lot of friends my leg. I don’t have my because my back was kill- “I’m just looking forward
car parked awkwardly on have helped me. I didn’t leg twitching all over the ing me.” to getting through these
the side of the road about realize how bad my back place. I don’t have these Woods returned from a four rounds and having an
15 miles from his home, with was. Now that I’m feeling issues anymore.” 15-month layoff a year ago understanding — a better
Woods asleep behind the the way I’m feeling, it’s just Woods hasn’t won since at the Hero World Chal- understanding — of where
wheel, the engine running hard to imagine that I was the 2013 Bridgestone In- lenge, and while he finished I’m at,” he said.q

Talib, Crabtree

Continued from Page 18
“Your actions triggered a punches with Crabtree. the New York Giants and
melee and endangered “You deliberately ripped Kansas City, while Talib will
various sideline and league your opponent’s chain have to sit out against Mi-
personnel, including one from his neck just as you did ami and the New York Jets.
of our game officials who last year when you played The suspension is costly to
was injured trying to main- against him,” Runyan wrote the Raiders (5-6), who are
tain control of the situa- in his letter to Talib. “Then, one game out of a play-
tion,” Runyan said in his when the two of you went off spot and now will be
letter to Crabtree. “Finally, to the ground after a sub- without a starting receiver
during the ensuing alter- sequent play, you aggres- for two weeks. Crabtree
cation, you grabbed and sively removed his helmet is tied for the team lead
twisted that same oppo- and threw it in his direc- with 42 catches and has
nent’s facemask and threw tion, endangering him and 502 yards receiving and a
a punch at him. Such ac- various sideline personnel team-high six touchdowns.
tions have no place in this in the near vicinity. Finally, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio
game, engender ill will be- once you were momen- disagreed with the ruling,
tween teams, and lead to tarily separated from your pointing to a fight earlier
further confrontations.” opponent, you again en- this season between Jack-
Talib once again ripped gaged him and threw a sonville cornerback Jalen
Crabtree’s chain off his punch.” Ramsey and Cincinnati re-
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) fights Oakland Raid- neck. He also took Crab- Both players are eligible to ceiver A.J. Green that led
ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the first half of
an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. tree’s helmet off and threw return on Dec. 11. Crab- to no suspensions.q
Associated Press it, as well as exchanging tree will miss games against