World No 3 golfer Jon Rahm has tipped Tiger Woods to 'contend' for titles again following the American’s remarkable return at last week’s Masters Tournament. Woods was back out on the course 14 months after suffering severe injuries in a high-speed car crash.
The five-time green jacket winner rolled back the years throughout the week, and capped off his impressive comeback by making the cut line at the halfway point. The weekend did prove a little harder for Woods however as he shot back-to-back rounds of six-over par as Scottie Scheffler ended up running away with proceedings.
During Sunday’s final round, the 82-time PGA Tour champion was joined by reigning US Open champion Rahm, and the Spaniard had plenty of praise for his playing partner after battling through the gruelling conditions to participate.
Post-round, Rahm said: “I’ve seen him in the (physio) truck. He is limping in the truck. He is limping on the course. Obviously, he is trying very hard to play, but it’s not easy to walk up and down those hills.
“At the end you can just tell that his leg and his body are just not used to walking this much, right? I believe if at home he can walk and get strength up and stamina in that sense, he will be able to be competitive again.”
“This is the hardest walk all year. He will be able to go somewhere where it’s a little easier to walk. It won’t be as long, and I believe he’ll be able to contend.”
Unsurprisingly Woods was the headline act throughout the week, despite failing to mount a challenge at the top of the leaderboard. As has been the case throughout his career, the 15-time major champion’s four rounds were flooded with patrons watching on up and down the Augusta fairways.
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And playing partner Rahm also revealed he was watching the American star as a fan whilst playing alongside him. The Spaniard commented: “It’s really cool. It was great because nobody cared about me, so I was just watching him play.”
“I was one more spectator, and I ended up playing good [shooting a three-under 69]. It was kind of a load off my shoulders in that sense. I was able to enjoy it as a fan and as a player.”
Whilst it remains unsure when Woods will play next, he has confirmed that he will be playing in this summer's Open Championship at St. Andrews. He said after his final round to Sky Sports : “That's something that is near and dear to my heart and I’ve won two Opens there. It is the home of golf and my favourite golf course in the world so I will be there for that one.”
