One 12 months after withdrawing earlier than the tip of the third spherical of the Masters, Tiger Woods is again at his favorite golf course and his favorite event, prepared to provide it one other go.
The five-time Masters winner, now 48, on Tuesday restated what he has stated for years amid a number of challenges to his bodily health: He wouldn’t be competing if he didn’t assume he might win.
“If every part comes collectively, I feel I can get yet another,” Woods stated with a smile. “Do I want to explain that any greater than that, or are we good?”
Two years in the past, Woods made his return to aggressive golf on the Masters lower than 14 months after a single-car accident practically value him his proper leg. He made the reduce at Augusta Nationwide earlier than ending forty seventh.
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Woods has stated that his objective going ahead is to play a handful of occasions a 12 months, probably as soon as a month, however that has been a problem. After making the reduce on the 2023 Masters, the third spherical was suspended resulting from rain and he withdrew moderately than returning Sunday, citing plantar fasciitis.
That led to ankle surgical procedure later that month. Woods got here again to play two unofficial occasions in December, however when he tried to play within the signature occasion hosted by his basis, February’s Genesis Invitational, he withdrew early in his second spherical resulting from flu-like signs.
“I wasn’t able to play. My physique wasn’t prepared,” Woods stated in response to a query concerning the Genesis. “My sport wasn’t prepared. And I believed that after I was at (the Hero World Problem), as soon as a month could be a very nice rhythm. Hasn’t labored out that manner.
“However now we’ve main championships each month from right here by means of July. So now the once-a-month hopefully kicks in.”
Woods clarified that his left ankle not hurts — “It’s fused, it’s not going wherever” — however different elements of his physique like his knee and again tackle extra of the load when he tries to stroll 72 holes.
There was concern when Woods’ buddy and NBC Sports activities commentator Notah Begay III advised reporters final week that Woods had “zero mobility” in his left ankle.
“So far as my physicality on sure pictures, each shot that’s not on a tee field is a problem,” Woods stated Tuesday, once more smiling. “So, yeah, as soon as we begin the opening, it’s a little bit of a problem.”
Woods has made 23 consecutive cuts on the Masters, and he can break a tie with Fred {Couples} and Gary Participant for probably the most all-time if he reaches the weekend this 12 months.
“I feel it’s consistency, it’s longevity, and it’s an understanding of how one can play this golf course,” Woods stated of discovering success at Augusta Nationwide. “That’s one of many the explanation why you see gamers which might be of their 50s and 60s make cuts right here, or it’s gamers of their late 40s have runs at profitable the occasion, simply the understanding of how one can play it.
“Now, you continue to should exit and execute it, however there’s a variety of information that goes into understanding how one can play it.”
Aches and pains apart, Woods will tee off with Max Homa and Australian Jason Day at 1:24 p.m. ET Thursday as he weapons for his sixth Masters title and his second since 2019.
“I simply love doing the work,” Woods stated. “I really like logging the time in, and I really like making ready. I really like competing, and I really like that feeling when every part’s on fireplace with an opportunity to win and also you both you do otherwise you don’t.”