|
 Palmer, a seven-time major champion, said that while he did not
know the specific nature of the surgery he felt optimistic about
Woods's golfing future.
"Tiger is in such good physical condition, and has been through his
life, that they must know they're doing the right thing by doing the
surgery," Palmer, 84, said on a conference call promoting a
documentary on his life that will be aired on the Golf Channel.
"He is also determined enough in his personality and his well-being
that he will overcome any of the problems that might be created
physically.
"Do I think he'll be a potential player to be worried about? Yes ...
and I think the potential for him to win future major championships
is still very real."
Woods withdrew from last month's Arnold Palmer Invitational, an
event he's won eight times, because of his back pain and has been
stuck on 14 majors since winning the 2008 U.S. Open.
Palmer is credited with helping to popularize the sport as his
daring style of play and charisma spawned huge throngs of fans that
became known as "Arnie's Army" just as the growing medium of
television began its love affair with sports.
After his serious days as a competitor, Palmer, a winner of 62 PGA
Tour titles during an illustrious career, helped create a channel
dedicated exclusively to the game he loved.
"Mr. Palmer was one of the two founders of Golf Channel nearly 20
years ago, and it's a very special project for that reason because
he is so near and dear to all of our hearts," said Golf Channel
president Mike McCarley.
"Also because (of) his influence on the game and the impact that
he's made on sports and popular culture."
Palmer, whose last major championship came at the 1964 Masters, said
he was watched bits and pieces of the documentary.
[to top of second column] |
"It brought me back to my world of so many years ago," said Palmer.
"I really can't even think about it. It made me think and get pretty
emotional."
With the Masters rolling into action next week at Augusta National,
Palmer spoke fondly of the club's co-founders, Bobby Jones and Cliff
Roberts, and of his unlikely golf buddy, former U.S. President
Dwight David Eisenhower.
"Seeing this replay of all my life to a degree, it's brought back
people like, well, President Eisenhower," said Palmer.
"Who in the hell would have ever thought that a greenkeeper's son
from Latrobe, Pennsylvania ... would ever play golf with the
President of the United States or sit in my living room and have a
glass of wine with the President of the United States."
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York)
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