Yet, standing in the doorway of the Twenties, those days are a fading memory and the years in between a testament to why Tiger is unhesitatingly my person of the decade. He walked the darkest of paths, endured humiliation and pain and saw the golden glow of a career grow dimmer by the day. It would have broken if not destroyed many.
But Tiger Woods refused to read the writing on the wall. That was for others to see. He walked on, step by dogged step, determined to redeem himself and those who believed in him. A life rebuilt and a career reborn were the rewards of determination and steel beyond imagination. Tiger first re-laid the foundations of family before returning to the game that had given him everything.
The first comeback was aborted by injury, as was the second and a third. It needed a fourth and final gamble to bring it all back on track, and the closing days of the last decade a testament to grit and an unshakeable will. Major number 15, career title number 82 and a first outing as team captain in a winning cause where he led by example were just rewards for soldiering through the dark.
And no such journey can be made by oneself. Like in the immortal words of the anthem that best represents my other sporting icon, Liverpool Football Club, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Tiger never gave up hope.
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
. With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
This is my wish for you all at the beginning of another 10 years of our lives. That we walk on. With grace and humility. Golf, like life, taketh away but also giveth. So may you swing with rhythm and may your putts drop when you need them to the most, Happy 2020 and beyond. – Rahul Banerji.
Image courtesy Twitter.
Also read: Tiger’s roar echoes around the world as he equals PGA Tour all-time record
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