Collegiate Times

During Major League Baseball's 2004 American League Championship Series, Curt Schilling took the mound for the Boston Red Sox for game six despite having a makeshift procedure to help repair a torn tendon in his ankle. The procedure did not actually repair the tendon, but made it so that Schilling could at least play through the pain. Despite the pain, Schilling would pitch seven innings with four strikeouts, while only allowing four hits and one run. This game is forever remembered for Curt Schilling's sock, which was soaked with blood from his injured ankle.

Then Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper tore his anterior cruciate, medial collateral, and posterior cruciate ligaments. The injury would require season-ending surgery in which doctors would have to rebuild his knee. These injuries are known to have a recovery time of about 12 to 16 months on average. While Culpepper could not play on it that season, he faced the problem of returning from injury too soon. That off-season Culpepper was traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he would attempt to play in the season opener, only 11 months after his injury. After poor performances, the Dolphins put him on the shelf for the season. Culpepper then had to have arthroscopic knee surgery that November to remove some loose cartilage in his knee. Since then, Culpepper has been traded to the Oakland Raiders, and has yet to regain a starting role, despite being a three-time pro-bowler.

At this point, no one knows what the story of the rest of Tiger's career will be. Doctors have reported that he will be able to compete by the beginning of the next season. Tiger has been documented many times saying that his career goal is to surpass Jack Nicklaus; to top the list for the most major tournaments won all-time. Nicklaus currently sits on top with 18 major wins, while Tiger is dangerously close with 14 wins.

The problem I have with Tiger competing in this year's open is that it was an unnecessary risk. While Tiger is trying to win as many majors as he can, he has plenty of time to do so. Prior to a couple weeks ago, Woods was only five major wins behind Nicklaus. He had already won the U.S. Open twice before this year, so it was not as though he was trying to notch that first win at the open. When Tiger comes back, that knee may not be able to hold up to his style of play, with his staggering 134 mph club speed. He may have to change his style to a more finessed game rather than a power game. While he is one of the best putters on the tour, his long drive gives him a distinct advantage over the rest of the field.

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