Tiger Woods has refused to rule out a shock appearance at next month’s Masters despite his horror car crash in Los Angeles just over a year ago. The five-time green jacket winner has not featured on the PGA Tour since suffering severe injuries last February.
Many golf fans feared that they would never see arguably the sport’s greatest-ever player perform professionally again following the crash. However they were given a boost this week when his name was included on the event’s invitee list for next month’s event.
Woods suffered open fractures to his lower right leg and further injuries to his foot and ankle in the 2021 crash, which then saw him go through extensive rehabilitation to get back to full fitness.
The 15-time major champion’s last outing did in fact come at Augusta at the rescheduled 2020 event which took place in November of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And, his return could well come at the historic setting that he has proven so prolific at throughout his career.
At February’s Genesis Invitational Woods made an appearance as tournament host exactly one year on from his life-changing accident, and speaking then refused to rule out his chances of taking to the famous Augusta course in April. When asked if he would compete he said: “I don't know.”
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He did confirm though that playing or not, he would still be attending the annual tournament dinner two days before the event kicks off. Woods continued: “I'll be there Tuesday and it will be a great dinner - I don't know what kind of sushi we are going to have!"
Whilst the golfing great could make a return next month, he has already confirmed that his comeback to the PGA Tour will not be a full time one due to the effects of his injuries. The 2019 Masters champion reiterated at the Genesis Invitational last month that his future schedule would only ever be a part-time one.
He commented: “Will I come back and play a full schedule? No. That will never happen again. I can play certain events here and there, but on a full-time level, no, that will never happen again."
Since the crash Woods has in fact been back out in front of the public on the golf course, after featuring in the father-son competition at the PNC Championship at the end of 2021. Whilst the event wasn’t a competitive one, the 82-time PGA Tour winner seemed back to himself and proved to be the star of the show alongside his prodigy son Charlie.
One man who has been confirmed as an absentee at next month’s major is Woods’ long-time rival Phil Mickelson. As a result ‘Lefty’ was embroiled in a saga surrounding the controversial Saudi Golf League last month, and following the fallout confirmed he would be ‘taking a break’ from the professional stage.
Many had speculated that Mickelson would return at Augusta next month, however his name was included on the past winners absentee list this week. His no-show means it will be the first time he has missed the Masters since 1994.
