'The bone popped out': Social media slams 'Dr Tiger Woods'
Tiger Woods' appearance at the Masters was his first tournament back after two months fighting to get his body, mind and short game to the right level to play at The Masters.
And he surprised all the critics with a hugely spirited showing this week, suggesting that he still what it takes to compete at the top level - even if he still fell well short on this occasion.
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But a moment on the 9th hole provided a genuine moment of fear as Woods played out of pine needles on the right-hand side of the hole - and appeared to catch a concealed tree root very heavily.
Woods screamed out in pain, and shook his right wrist in agony after the incident.
"@OldRowOfficial: Tiger Woods is having a rough front nine (Vine by @WillBrinson) https://t.co/JvKiN7ieMt" @devonguccimane @camkahley12
— Thomas Bowen (@homerun_bowen15) April 13, 2015
Later, Woods admitted that "the bone popped out, I just popped it back in" after he hit the root with his club.
But the amateur diagnosis led to plenty of derisive responses on Twitter:
TIGER WOODS must have misspoken. No way to finish round if a "bone popped out in wrist and put back in". Great golfer but not a doctor.
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) April 12, 2015
Did @TigerWoods just say his bone popped out & he popped it back in? Reminds me of @MikeTyson saying his back was broken. #MastersSunday
— Aaron Magness (@macknuttie) April 12, 2015
Anyone else call BS on @TigerWoods wrist bone comment? #YaRight
— matt burke (@matt8urke) April 12, 2015
@TigerWoods I didn't know you were an orthopedic surgeon. I call BS on that. You did not reduce a dislocation today. Wtf?
— Ellen Hampton (@auntello) April 12, 2015
The pain clearly lasted as Woods hit wild tee shots into the trees on the next few holes.
Thankfully, Woods seemed to shrug it off: on the 13th, he played a perfect three shots for an eagle on the par-5 - though he did still appear to be attacking the hole in a more gingerly fashion than normal.
The incident was strongly reminiscent of the wrist injury which struck him at the 2013 US Open, and also the back problems which ruined his 2014 season after he appeared to jar himself hitting a shot.
Fans will be desperately hoping that Woods' problem proves nothing to worry about - considering that the game is only just welcoming back its icon, it would be a terrible shame if he was once again lost to the treatment room.
Did Tiger Woods just say he popped a bone back into place in his hand? Tiger, M.D. … Sounds intense
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2015
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