After tons of speculation, Tiger Woods admitted he’s going to try to play this week at the Masters. Woods, who suffered extensive injuries 13 months ago in a disastrous car accident, hadn’t committed to any golf this year, though he did surprise everyone by playing with his son Charlie just before Christmas at the PNC Championship. However, the PNC Championship is an exhibition-style event where Woods was able to ride a golf cart and skip some shots.
But he announced on Tuesday that he’s planning on playing in what will be the 25th anniversary of his initial win at Augusta.
“I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint,” Woods said during his press conference. “As of right now, I feel like I am going to play. As of right now.”
Woods announced earlier in the week that he’d attempt to play Augusta, but those plans are now firm: “I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice,” he said in a statement on the weekend. “It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.”
Game time, it appears, is here.
Woods was on site at Augusta in the afternoon, working on the range, hitting balls with clubs ranging from wedges to drivers before heading out on the course. Woods played a practice round at Augusta on Tuesday with Fred Couples, and fellow PGA Tour pro Justin Thomas.
But will Woods be able to walk four rounds of golf? And can he be competitive?
The car accident on Feb. 23, 2021, left doctors concerned they might have to amputate Woods’ right leg. That followed numerous back issues and the fact Woods was recovering from another surgery when he had the car accident. Add to that the fact he hasn’t played competitive golf in nearly two years and there’s definitely questions about what version of Tiger is showing up at this year’s Masters.
Yes, he’ll be there—he might even contend
Woods’ dominance at Augusta is well established. He has five Masters victories, including an improbable win in 2019, and a scoring average 70.87, the best by any golfer with more than 75 rounds at the Masters. He’s made 22 of 23 cuts at the Masters and nearly $10-million in earnings for his play at Augusta.
“It’s not shocking because he’s the greatest player to ever play,” Fred Couples told reporters at Augusta. “If he can walk around here in 72 holes, he’ll contend. He’s too good.”
And when asked whether he thinks he can win, Tiger answered with two words: “I do.”
What does that suggest? Even when he’s been injured or not playing his best, Tiger finds a way to be in the mix at Augusta. He knows the course better than practically anyone, and if there’s a course where he can get away with some wayward drives and compensate through his iron play and putting, it is Augusta.
No, he won’t be in the mix
Let’s be honest, Tiger isn’t what he once was. He’s had numerous surgeries on his back and legs, and there’s a lot of miles on his 46-year-old body. Augusta is a hilly course and given the damage to his right leg during the car accident, there are questions about whether he’s capable of walking four rounds given the course’s elevation changes. Lastly, he hasn’t played since the U.S. Open in 2020—nearly two years ago. He’s the best we’ve seen in this century, but you have to be an eternal optimist to think he can win.
What do you think?
I believe if he can walk the 4 rounds he just might be in the mix. Tiger has a lot of will power and we all no he can play some great rounds at Augusta. Only he will no the answer to whether he can walk 4 rounds or not.