Pre-reading questions:
- What kind of sports do you follow?
- What qualities are necessary for a professional athlete to maintain a long and successful career?
Vocabulary:
- committed /kuh-MIT-id/
- stroke /strohk/
- major /MEY-jer/
- determined /dih-TUR-mind/
- competitive /kuhm-PET-i-tiv/
[adjective] – dedicated or devoted to a cause or activity
She is committed to finishing her studies before starting a new job.
[noun] – each of a series of consecutive movements in a sport such as golf or swimming
His golf coach emphasized the importance of a smooth and consistent stroke on the putting green.
[adjective] – significant or important; also refers to a significant or important event, typically in sports
Winning the championship was a major achievement for the team.
[adjective] – having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
Despite the difficulties, she was determined to succeed in her new business career.
[adjective] – having or displaying a strong desire to be more successful than others
The company operates in a highly competitive market.
Article reading:
Woods has been careful with his tournament schedule because of various injuries. Now, he is preparing to return to Royal Troon after 20 years. His past wins at The Open in 2000, 2005, and 2006 show he is ready for a comeback. Thinking about the upcoming tournament, Woods remembered playing practice rounds with Tom Weiskopf and how they talked about strategies and had friendly competition. This shows the friendship and competitive spirit in professional golf. The tournament at Royal Troon is important for Woods as he aims for greatness despite facing challenges. His determination to compete at the highest level shows his enduring love for the sport and belief in his ability to achieve more success.
Comprehension questions
- Why did Colin Montgomerie comment on Tiger Woods’ enthusiasm during the recent U.S. Open?
- How many major tournaments has Tiger Woods won?
- What age did Tiger Woods suggest he could continue playing golf until?
- What did Tiger Woods and Tom Weiskopf discuss during their practice rounds?
- Why is the tournament at Royal Troon important for Tiger Woods?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever followed a professional athlete’s career closely? If so, whose career have you followed? If not, what sports or athletes do you find interesting to follow, and why?
- Have you ever faced a setback in pursuing a personal goal, like Tiger Woods missing the cut in the U.S. Open? If so, how did you handle it? If not, can you imagine how you might feel if you were in a situation like Tiger Woods?
- Do you think age should be a factor in deciding when athletes should retire?
- How do you think Tiger Woods’ determination to continue playing golf could inspire younger athletes today?
- What challenges and opportunities do you think professional athletes face as they age?