Tiger Woods returning at the Masters next week would be 'phenomenal' for the tournament and for golf, according to Rory McIlroy.
The 15-time Major winner played a practice round at Augusta National on Tuesday as he attempts his latest amazing comeback. The American superstar, now 46, revealed he was 'lucky to be alive' after his high-speed car accident in February last year.
And he has not played on the PGA Tour since the defence of his Masters title in November 2020. The world of golf is now awaiting confirmation that Woods will tee up in Georgia on the 25th anniversary of his first Major win in 1997.
And McIlroy, who has become a close friend, said: "I think for golf and for the Masters tournament and for everyone, to have Tiger there would be phenomenal. I think it just adds to the event.
"Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he's there. It would be awesome for him to be there. He was there yesterday obviously and he's trying to see what he can do. Obviously no one knows but him if he can make it around and if he believes he can compete."
Woods has performed miracles before. He won the 2008 US Open with a stress fracture in his left leg and returned from the scandal in his private life to finish T4 at the 2010 Masters. And he became the second-oldest Masters winner in 2019 after multiple back surgeries and getting arrested in May 2017 for driving under the influence of prescription drugs.
Do you think Tiger Woods will tee it up at the 2022 Masters? Let us know in the comments section.
World No.9 McIlroy added: "The sheer will and perseverance, it is incredible. If he comes back from this again, it's just he likes to prove people wrong, he likes to prove himself wrong, I think.
"Regardless of when he does come back, whether it's next week or a few weeks or months down the line, he's a wonderful addition to the game and the game of golf is better when he's playing and when he's playing well.”
McIlroy spent two days preparing at Augusta National this week and has decided to play the Valero Texas Open before his eighth attempt to complete his career Grand Slam at the Masters. He missed the cut last year. "I just wanted to mix it up and I still wanted to feel like I was sharp going into Augusta," said the four-time Major winner.
