Page 22 - aruba today

A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 25 sepTember 2018
TIGER WOODS plete.
Continued from Page 17 "I just didn't know whether
"Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!" they or when this would ever
chanted over and over, happen again," he said. "I
looking very much like just didn't know if I could
they may storm the Tudor- ever piece together a golf
style clubhouse, the roar swing."
carrying all the way to Woods wasn't fully aware
Peachtree. of all the commotion go-
It was thrilling, exhilarating, ing on behind him as he
even a bit frightening for strolled down the 18th fair-
those caught in the middle way, chatting and smiling
of the mob. with playing partner Rory
Then again, it was not an McIlroy in the final group.
unexpected reaction given When he got up to the
what Woods has meant to green, Woods could final-
the game of golf — to the ly survey the remarkable
entire sporting world, really. scene. It reminded him a
"From one goat (greatest bit of Jack Nicklaus winning
of all time) to another I can the U.S. Open at Baltusrol in
only imagine what @Tiger- 1980, the crowds invading
Woods is feeling today," the course as the Golden
tweeted Michael Phelps, Bear wrapped up a victory
the winningest athlete in Tiger Woods holds Calamity Jane, the official trophy of the tournament, after winning the Tour that defied those skeptics
Olympic history. "Pumped Championship golf tournament Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) who thought he was all
to be watching this today!! Associated Press washed up at age 40.
Have fun out there today "Jack Is Back," the score-
my man!!!" the idea of ever winning derwent surgery for the Woods got himself cleaned board famously pro-
Despite an influx of talent- another golf tournament. fourth time, this time to fuse up. The pain went away. claimed.
ed young players in recent He was more concerned his lower back. About six Just four months after re- "I just didn't have the tight
years, golf just hasn't been about his quality of life. weeks later, he was arrest- porting he couldn't hit the pants and the hair," Woods
the same since Woods "The low point was not ed on suspicion of DUI after ball more than 60 yards, quipped. "But it was all
went away, his brilliant ca- knowing if I'd ever be able being found asleep behind Woods rejoined the PGA good.
reer derailed by debilitat- to live pain-free again," the wheel of his car with Tour and made the cut in There was no message on
ing injuries and personal Woods said. "Am I going to the motor running. his first event at Torrey Pines. the East Lake leaderboard.
demons. be able to sit, stand, walk, Woods blamed it on a By the time the summer This time, the most tell-
As NBC analyst Roger Malt- lay down without feeling bad combination of pain rolled around, he was in ing moment came after
bie put it, "He doesn't just the pain that I was in. I just medications. Everyone fig- the mix at the major cham- Woods teed off at the 14th
move the needle, he is the didn't want to live that way. ured he's gotten hooked pionships. hole, which dissects the
needle." Is this how the rest of my life on drugs as a way of cop- He earned a spot on the walk to the tee for No. 17.
But that needle looked is going to be? (If so), it's go- ing with a body that never U.S. Ryder Cup team. His closest challenger, Billy
broken beyond repair as ing to be a tough rest of my stopped hurting. The idea He played his way into the Horschel, was heading that
days without a win grew to life. So, I was beyond play- of ever playing competi- finale of the FedEx Cup way.
months, the months with- ing. I couldn't sit. I couldn't tive golf again — much less playoff. He saw Woods coming.
out a win grew to years. It walk. I couldn't lay down winning — seemed down- Finally, on a blistering fall He stopped to let him pass.
had been 1,876 days since without feeling the pain in right ludicrous. day in Atlanta, he made it It only seemed right.
his last victory, and even my back and my leg." Then, miraculously, the dark official. Tiger Woods is back.
Woods had moved on from On April 19, 2017, he un- cloud lifted. The comeback was com- And golf is better for it.q

Federer, Zverev lead Team Europe to Laver Cup victory

CHICAGO (AP) — Alexander Zverev Roger Federer earlier put Team Eu-
beat Kevin Anderson on Sunday night rope ahead by saving three match
to give Team Europe a victory in the points for a 6-7, 7-6, (10-7) victory over
second Laver Cup. John Isner.
Zverev won the final five points to de- Isner staggered Federer with a body
feat Anderson 6-7, 7-5, (10-7). His vic- serve that caused the 20-time Grand
tory helped Team Europe beat Team Slam winner to stumble early in the
World 13-8. match. But Federer regrouped and
"Obviously it was an amazing feeling," fought off two match points in the
Zverev said. "So special to clinch it for second-set tiebreaker before captur-
us guys and Europe. It's great how it ing the deciding 10-point tiebreaker
ended." used in the Laver Cup.
Anderson, who lost in the Wimbledon In the opening doubles match, Jack
finals this year, said Sunday night's Sock and Isner saved two match
setback affected more than just him. points in the deciding tiebreaker to
"You're playing for something differ- beat Federer and Zverev 4-6, 7-6, (11-
ent. You feel like you didn't come 9).
through for the team," he said. The three-day, five-session tourna-
Had Anderson won, Nick Kyrgios of ment at the United Center drew
the World team would have played 93,584 fans.
Wimbledon champion Novak Djokov- Team Europe won the first Laver Cup
Team Europe pose with the Laver Cup after defeating Team World after the
Laver Cup tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Chicago. ic in a deciding singles match. But it last year in Prague. The tournament
Associated Press was not necessary because the Eu- moves to Geneva, Switzerland, next
ropean team had reached 13 points. year.q