Tiger Woods will make a last-minute call on whether to stage an incredible comeback at the Masters but every available indication so far suggests the 15-time major champion will be on the first tee at Augusta National on Thursday.
Woods has not played main tour golf since the rescheduled Masters of November 2020. In February 2021 Woods sustained severe leg injuries including open fractures in a car crash in California, after which he admitted he was lucky to be alive. He subsequently spoke of a competitive return but nobody had predicted that would transpire at the first major of the year, especially given Augusta’s hilly terrain. That reality is now tantalisingly close.
Woods appeared on site at Augusta shortly after 3pm on Sunday. After hitting about 30 shots during a 20-minute spell on the range – during which he displayed no physical impairment – Woods headed to play the back nine. With the course closed to the public and media on Sunday afternoon, Woods could test his body’s ability to cope with Augusta in blissful isolation.
Woods, a five-time Masters champion, has also been allocated a pre-tournament press conference slot on Tuesday morning as further evidence he is confident of participating here.
Billy Horschel, who chatted with Woods as he hit balls, said: “He looked like the Tiger we saw before the accident, the way the swing looked and the speed. For him to hopefully be playing – which I think he is – I think we’re all giddy about it.” So, too, are ticket touts with black market prices expected to soar on account of Woods’s potential involvement.
I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice. It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete. Congratulations to 16-year-old Anna Davis on an amazing win at the @anwagolf and good luck to all the kids in the @DriveChipPutt.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 3, 2022
On Sunday morning, Woods posted a social media message which said: “I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice. It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.”
The 46-year-old American played a practice round at Augusta last week. This year’s event marks the 25th anniversary of his first Masters victory, when he won by a record 12 shots.
