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OK, that headline isn’t technically correct because this year’s Masters doesn’t start until Thursday and we still don’t officially know if Tiger Woods is going to play in the event but judging by what I saw yesterday the GOAT is the biggest winner of the week in Augusta and it’s not even close.
Yesterday morning Tiger announced on Twitter that he is going to be a “game-time decision” for the Masters and that he would be heading to Augusta to practice and prepare for the greatest week in golf with the rest of the guys who are playing in the very special tournament.
Then just a few hours later he stepped onto the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, a place where he’s won five green jackets and given us so many incredible memories, and hit some balls on the range before playing the back nine.
And just like that, I was able to declare him the winner of the week.
Just over a year ago Tiger could have lost his life in the very serious car accident that he got into in Los Angeles. Thankfully he survived but for a few days he wasn’t sure if he was going to lose one of his legs.
Tiger was very much alive but he was in jeopardy of never again being able to do something that he loves – play golf. Forget about professional golf and playing in the most important tournaments in the world. He wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to just play a few holes with his kids and enjoy those special moments on the course with his family.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been in a position where something that you love to do can be taken away from you, but it’s a scary time that can leave you feeling very empty and incredibly depressed.
That’s why Tiger’s smiles yesterday on the range were so special. Even if he doesn’t play this week (which now would be a huge surprise), just being able to walk into the practice area at Augusta and hit some balls and share some laughs with the guys must have felt absolutely incredible.
Those little moments are the ones you think about when you’re not sure if you’ll ever be able to do something again and yesterday Tiger must have felt like he was floating around that place. Just look at this video of his day yesterday. It will give you all the gooosebumps.
It’s cliche but whatever – life is precious and it can be gone in a second. That sadly has become all too familiar for all of us lately. Thankfully Tiger survived the accident, has been able to be there for his kids, and now is trying everything he can to play in a professional golf tournament that he loves so much.
Whatever happens Tiger has already won the week and, well, we have too.
Quick hits: All 30 MLB stadiums ranked… The legend of Dawn Staley grows… Nike’s lame Coach K tribute… And more.
– The 2022 MLB season starts this week and Andrew Joseph gets you ready for it by ranking all 30 stadiums.
– Cole Huff explains how the legend of Dawn Staley is only growing after she coached South Carolina to a second national championship last night.
– NCAA hoops fans ripped Nike for it’s ridiculous tribute to Coach K after Duke’s loss to UNC on Saturday night.
– Speaking of Duke-UNC, Roy Williams was so fired up after the Tar Heels’ win.
