AUGUSTA | Tiger Woods has a sense of suspense. After days of speculation about his possible return to action at the Masters Tournament, the five-time green jacket champion finally showed up today at the prestigious Georgia Golf Club.
On a preparatory mission, however, he promised nothing in his tweet announcing the news at 9:40 a.m. this morning.
His plane landed on the runway of the regional airport at 2 p.m. He then took over the management of the famous club 2604
Washington Road.
At 3:20 p.m., he rushed into the practice field under the curious gaze of the press and a few volunteers who had been waiting for the moment. (Read other text.) The famous golfer then headed for the course.
Last Tuesday, he also made a whirlwind one-day visit. From Florida in the morning, the registration of his private jet to Augusta
had betrayed him. The golf planet had gotten carried away and the Tiger had returned to its opulent abode of Jupiter at the end of the day.
Although he is still registered for this 86th edition of the Masters Tournament, the Tiger can withdraw there at any time.
However, if he took the trouble to fly aboard his private jet last Tuesday to play a round on the hilly fairways of Augusta National flanked by his medical team, it is because he has an idea behind the head.
And this presence in the last moments of preparation tends to show that he will set off on Thursday for this long-awaited return to competition.
February 23, 2021
It should be remembered that 14 months ago, Woods could have lost his life in a serious road accident in the suburbs of Los Angeles. On the morning of February 23, he was traveling at high speed on a neighborhood road and had lost control of his sport utility vehicle.
Driving more than twice the speed limit, his SUV rolled over and lurched violently. He was the only injured.
The 46-year-old golfer had suffered major leg fractures. He had been operated on several times on his right leg. At one point, the doctors even considered amputation.
But Woods recovered by following the recommendations of his doctors to the letter. He went through an intense rehabilitation program and even managed to grab his sticks again at the end of the summer.
In November, he posted a video of a few seconds on social networks where he was seen performing a swing. And a few weeks later, during his tournament, the Challenge Hero World in the Bahamas, he indicated that he wanted to partially return to competition. However, he was unable to pinpoint the exact moment.
He then said that he wanted to be able to choose the tournaments in which he would participate in the season.
The golfer with 82 professional titles then participated in the PNC Championship with his son Charlie before Christmas. The pair finished second, just behind the Dalys. Woods, however, hadn’t worked out. He had traveled by cart on the ground.
His playground
Behind the scenes, it is said that Woods, if he could manage it, always wanted to make his big comeback in Augusta, where he triumphed as a master in 2019.
In one of the best editions of the Masters, he had roared on the return to surpass the competition at the age of 43, signing his 15th career major title.
Obviously, having won five green jackets there (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), Woods is part of the history in Augusta. He has offered his best performances and executed strokes of genius over the years.
We bet that on Thursday, the five-time champion recently named to the World Golf Hall of Fame will be introduced to the crowd by spiking his ball on the first tee.
Again, he will make his big comeback.
Woods’ hurdles and feats since 2015
- OCTOBER 2015 | 3e back surgery
- AVRIL 2017 | 4e back surgery
- MAY 2017 | Roadside arrest in Florida. Addicted to the cocktail of prescribed drugs.
- OCTOBER 2017 | Pleads guilty to dangerous driving charges in this arrest
- SEPTEMBER 2018 | Win the PGA Tour Championship
- AVRIL 2019 | Victory at the Masters Tournament, 15e major career title
- AUGUST 2019 | 5e knee surgery
- NOVEMBER 2019 | Win the Zozo Championship
- DECEMBER 2020 | 5e back surgery
- FEBRUARY 2021 | Serious road accident in California
- FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021 | Multiple surgeries to treat his right leg
- NOVEMBER 2021 | First publication of a moose on social networks
- DECEMBER 2021 | Participate in PNC Championship with his son Charlie
- MARS 2022 | Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
- AVRIL 2022 | Presence at the Masters Tournament. Final decision to come
Smiling and at work
Twenty minutes were enough for Tiger Woods in the Augusta National practice range today before starting on the famous course.
Dressed in a polo shirt in the colors of Georgia peaches, the “Big Cat” thwarted the photographers who had aimed their camera at the white building at the entrance to the field.
Relaxed and smiling, he multiplied handshakes and hugs with his peers, happy to see him land.
In no time, Woods, a five-time champion on this legendary property, grabbed a short iron and ran under the eyes of his caddie, Joe LaCava, and his right-hand man in business, Rob McNamara, who also ensures its momentum.
A few shots with his long irons and fairway wood later, he grabbed his driver. It only took him 12 minutes to get there and propel his balls 300 yards using different trajectories. No grimace, no wrong move.
Horschel believes in it
Also at his side during, the American golfer Billy Horschel contemplated the session. According to him, Woods seemed to be counting his strikes. Usually in his routine, Horschel hits at least forty balls.
The Tiger hit at most twenty.
Questioned after his compatriot’s whirlwind visit, Horschel believes that Woods has lost no power and distance. He saw him do it for the first time since the car accident.
According to him, he is ready to return to the game by carefully choosing the courses to face according to the types of tournaments.
The most important events as well as the shortest and flattest routes possible.
On one leg in 2008
Now it remains to be seen whether he can line up the walks on the course without feeling too much pain. Only he and his medical team can handle it.
It’s important to remember that in 2008, Woods won the US Open on one leg. He then suffered from a double stress fracture and a torn ligament in his knee. He was then 32 years old.
Now at 46 and having overcome several injuries, he knows better than anyone how to deal with pain.
In his preparation until his decision, the living legend of golf should make three outings on the course.
Strategy against the rain
Usually he ventures there on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. However, with the weather forecast this week, he should change his habits.
On Tuesday, Mother Nature will dump more than 30 millimeters of water over the Augusta region. Rain is also on the menu Wednesday and Thursday.
As the course closed to spectators and members of the media following the conclusion of the Junior Skills Drive, Chip and Putt Tournament, this afternoon it was impossible to walk along the ropes and watch the man with 82 career PGA titles.
The week of the Masters Tournament begins tomorrow morning.
And according to our media calendar, Woods will hold his press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
At that time, he would be able to announce his decision. Already that his name appears there, it is a good omen.