Great comebacks in history

His Masters revival is nothing new. From King Tut to Elvis to Mickey Rourke, some big returns through the ages

Published April 7, 2010 3:01PM (EDT)

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 1974 file photo, referee Zack Clayton, right, steps in after challenger Muhammad Ali looks on after knocking down defending heavyweight champion George Foreman in the eighth round of their championship bout in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali regained the world heavyweight crown by knockout in the eighth round of the fight dubbed "Rumble in the Jungle." (AP Photo/File) (Anonymous)
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 1974 file photo, referee Zack Clayton, right, steps in after challenger Muhammad Ali looks on after knocking down defending heavyweight champion George Foreman in the eighth round of their championship bout in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali regained the world heavyweight crown by knockout in the eighth round of the fight dubbed "Rumble in the Jungle." (AP Photo/File) (Anonymous)

Tiger Woods is returning to golf at the Masters Tournament this week, his first competition since November. It's big news, but it's hardly the first comeback we've ever seen. In fact, Woods' own return from knee surgery after eight months off, way back in 2009, might have been more difficult for him, if less uncomfortable.

Here is a small sampling of notable comebacks in history, in the sports world and beyond.

View a slide show


By King Kaufman

King Kaufman is a senior writer for Salon. You can e-mail him at king at salon dot com. Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr

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