When the Masters comes around, Tiger Woods is always a hot topic of conversation, and this year is no exception. Despite being a longshot and dealing with health issues that have limited his competition, the five-time champion will be teeing off in the first round on Thursday.
Last year, Woods had a shortened season with only two PGA Tour starts before undergoing ankle surgery. This year, he has only played 24 holes of official golf and has not competed since February, making his preparation for the Masters a challenge.
Despite these setbacks, Woods has a history of making comebacks at Augusta National. In 2022, he famously finished 47th at the Masters just 14 months after a car crash that threatened his right leg.
Preparing for a round of golf at Augusta National is no easy feat for Woods, as he needs extensive hours to get his 48-year-old body ready. The toll that the challenging course takes on him, particularly on his back and rebuilt leg, will likely affect his performance.
“There’s no doubt he’s going to hit a lot of good shots and make some putts, but the question is whether he can sustain that over multiple days,” said ESPN analyst Curtis Strange.
At the 2023 Masters, Woods struggled with plantar fasciitis and was forced to withdraw before completing the third round. His only PGA Tour start since then was at the Genesis Invitational in mid-February, where he withdrew due to illness.
Despite the competitive rust in his game, Woods may find some comfort in playing at the Masters, the only major event held at the same course every year. With his familiarity with the layout, he has an advantage over many competitors.
Having never missed the cut at the Masters as a professional, Woods will be aiming for a tournament record 24th consecutive made cut this year, tying Gary Player and Fred Couples.
Although Woods is a 160-1 longshot to win his sixth Masters title, simply making the cut and playing the weekend could be considered a victory for the legendary golfer.
“While he may publicly express his goal to compete and win, quietly, just making it to the weekend could be a personal victory for him,” said ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt.
Overall, Woods’ return to the Masters is highly anticipated, and his performance will be closely watched by golf fans around the world. Despite the challenges he faces, his resilience and determination make him a formidable competitor in any tournament.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
