Tiger Woods Says He Will Likely Play in Masters This Week
Twenty-five years after his first win on Augusta National, five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods says he will likely play in this weekend’s event.
“As of right now, I feel like I am going to play,” Woods said in his Masters news conference Tuesday morning. “I’m going to play nine more holes tomorrow. My recovery has been good – I’ve been very excited about how I’ve recovered each and every day. That’s been the challenge.”
Woods missed last year after injuries sustained in a major car accident on February 23, 2021 in Los Angeles. There was concern that he may not even walk again initially. So being back on the course, even just for 27 practice holes so far, is quite an accomplishment.
“I’ve worked hard, and my team has been unbelievable,” Woods said. “I’ve been lucky to have great surgeons, PTs and physios that have worked on me virtually every day. We’ve worked hard to get to this point.”
Woods has won five times at the Masters, a tournament he has frequently said is the most important for him each year. Woods won in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and lastly in 2019. And Tiger said he thinks he can win this year, even with the setbacks.
“I do,” Woods said, when asked if he could win. “I can hit it just fine. I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically, from a golf standpoint. Walking is the hard part.”
Woods has made the cut in 22 of the 23 Masters tournaments he’s entered. But with the challenges this year, he’s not taking anything for granted.
“It’s been a tough, tough year and a lot of stuff that I’ve had to deal with, I don’t wish on anyone,” Woods said. “But here we are at Masters week, being able to play and practice has… meant a lot.”
GALLERY: Tiger Woods at The Masters Tournament
