AUGUSTA, Ga. — Let the Tiger Watch start.
Tiger Woods wasn’t geared up to formally say on Sunday that he will play within the 86th Masters, that is scheduled to begin Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. But in a announcement on Twitter, Woods did say that he might be arriving here Sunday to continue training and preparing to play. Later Sunday, he showed up at Augusta National to get a few exercise in.
Woods, a 5-time Masters champion, stated it will be a “game-time choice.” It would be his first appearance in a ordinary PGA Tour event in more than 17 months, after he became critically injured in a vehicle smash outdoor Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2021. He stated doctors almost had to amputate his proper leg.
2022 MASTERS: TEE TIMES, TELEVISION COVERAGE AND MORE
Woods’ first Masters victory was almost 25 years in the past, on April thirteen, 1997.TuesdayHe’s in
After getting his prep paintings in Tuesday morning, Woods came to the interview room and made it (almost) reputable.
“As of proper now, I experience like I am going to play,” he said for the duration of a 20-minute question-and-answer consultation.
Woods has now not performed a aggressive round of golf since the 2020 Masters at Augusta National. He has gained this occasion five times, maximum lately in 2019. He will discover later Tuesday while he’s going to play when the tee times are released.
And, in case all and sundry became wondering, he is right here to win.
Tiger Woods believes he can win a sixth Green Jacket this week. #themasters p.c.twitter.com/WHjD4BcOcx— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 5, 2022
So, about the ones shoes …
Woods presented an evidence as to why he’s wearing FootJoy golf shoes — and no longer Nikes — at Augusta National Golf Club this week. He’s nevertheless sporting Nike shirts, pants and hats at the path.
“I actually have very restrained mobility now,” Woods stated. “Just with the rods and plates and screws that are in my leg, I wanted something specific, some thing that allowed me to be greater strong. That’s what I’ve gone to.”
Woods, who has had a relationship with Nike for the reason that he grew to become pro in 1996, stated he’s nevertheless operating with the shoe and clothing massive to come up with an extended-term solution.
“Nike’s been notable through the years of presenting me with equipment and paintings, and we have been operating on searching for something to allow me to try this and swing again,” he stated. “We’re nonetheless going to retain doing it, and with any luck we’re going to have something quickly.”Hitting his target
One of the first-rate pleasures for any character who plays golf is making an attempt to hit the cart that drives across the exercise variety selecting up golf balls. On Tuesday, Woods turned into on point.play
During exercise, Tiger Woods hits a golfing ball picker transferring throughout the green.This might be a mild day
A little earlier than nine a.m. ET, Woods arrived at the event practice vicinity at Augusta National. With awful climate drawing close and an 11 a.m. date inside the interview room, the plan changed into never for Woods to play any holes. Instead, he will get in a few chipping, putting and variety paintings. Weather permitting, he will play 9 holes on Wednesday.
MondayWe’re speakme approximately more practice
A little after 1:30 p.m. ET, Woods arrived on the practice setting green at Augusta National. He rolled a few there, below the watchful eye of buddy and associate Rob McNamara. Then he moved directly to the chipping location, with McNamara and caddie Joe LaCava at his aspect. Then it turned into directly to some complete swings.
The plan is for Woods to play 9 holes; he went out and played the second one 9 Sunday afternoon and Monday he is expected to head across the first 9.
Tiger just walked out the clubhouse to scenes and environment like you’ve got in no way seen earlier than 😳😲
Patrons cheering and flocking to cram around the setting inexperienced ⛳️
And it’s only Monday at @TheMasters 👀— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) April four, 2022
As he did Sunday, Woods confirmed up in FootJoy golf shoes. This time, he went with a white pair.
After spending an hour working at the variety and placing green, Woods headed to the primary tee to play the primary nine with Justin Thomas and Fred Couples.
Though he had a mild, however major hitch in his proper leg as he walked, Woods performed nicely, in particular off the tee and along with his irons. Despite the lingering “will he, may not he?” that also hovers, his recreation seemed geared up.
The consumers have been ready, too. There were shouts of encouragement on each hollow.
While he become surely getting organized for the 86th Masters and a run at a sixth green jacket, Woods also enjoyed his afternoon alongside two right buddies. He was laughing as they played, clapped for desirable photographs from his partners and acknowledged some of the buyers over his nine holes.What the gamers are pronouncing
The interview room at the Masters turned into up and going for walks on Monday. Guess who turned into the subject of communication?
Here’s what other gamers had to say about Woods and his viable return this week:
Billy Horschel: “With the entirety he’s gone thru, with all the accidents and with all the personal stuff, he is always — he still has that force and that fire within him to still play golfing. I turned into talking to a terrific pal of mine, Mark Noble, he performs for West Ham Football Club over in England, a crew I aid, and we have been FaceTiming every other closing night time and we had been announcing, here is a guy who’s made butt-hundreds of money. He’s got more money than every body would want on your existence, and after everything he is gone through with the lower back surgical procedure, before the accident, and now with the automobile twist of fate coming again, he may want to have said, you know what, I’ve finished plenty on this recreation, I don’t want to do some thing extra, but it just suggests you ways tons he loves the game of golf, how an awful lot he loves being out right here, and what kind of hearth continues to be within him to play.
“To see him hitting golfing balls at Augusta on the Masters, on the brink of play, I do not know if he is playing, I don’t know that solution, however to me if I become in his shoes, I wouldn’t be doing the whole lot that I am to get ready to try to play this event and no longer play. I assume the most effective motive he is now not going to play is if he does not experience equipped or if there may be — simply his foot, leg, returned, something it may be form of kicks up after which he simply does not experience ready to play.”
“But there is just every other level of buzz to look him and notice him play. Shoot, I’ve thought about it within the past, and I can be on the primary tee watching him tee off if my tee time works out and the whole lot simply as it’s any such special second.”
Brooks Koepka: “I’m happy he is becoming healthier and able to play golfing. We need him, the sport wishes him, everybody wishes him, the fanatics need him — all that stuff. But, on the quit of the day, all and sundry is simply out here competing. I’m worried approximately myself and I’m sure all people else is concerned about themselves.
“Look, I turned into in truly of his footwear trying remaining year two weeks after surgical treatment. This area isn’t always exactly an clean stroll. I understand what he is up in opposition to. It’ll be difficult. But if anyone can do it, it is him.”
Webb Simpson: “As a participant, we adore it. I suppose we’re all Tiger lovers. I found out my lesson to in no way be counted him out some years ago when he got here — he is come again so normally from harm. So he’s an thought to all of us. Even once I hurt my neck earlier this 12 months, I thought about it stinks proper now however I can come lower back, I can make a full recuperation, but he had a lot worse injury. I love that he’s going to offer it a pass.
“Any time anybody asks me can Tiger contend, the answer is yes. Just an super will internal of him, whether he’s hurt or ill or suffering along with his golf swing or something it’s far. So it’s in reality cool that he’s making this week the rush to return back after that automobile ruin. I desire he tees it up Thursday.”
Patrick Cantlay: “Yeah, incredible to peer him. I’m certain he’s been preparing difficult the remaining little bit, and residing in Jupiter, heard rumblings after I would visit Medalist that he were obtainable.
“I suppose he is a great example of existence’s no longer continually ideal, and so it’s certainly interesting to look him on his highs. And so I hope that he is able to tee it up this week and play nicely, and manifestly it really is the best element for our game. There’s honestly a exclusive feel in tournaments that he tees it up in.”
Talor Gooch: “We all understand his dedication. We all realize his aggressive nature. We all recognize this is what he loves to do. So it’s now not sudden, however it’s still surprising at the same time. To know in which he came from and obviously what he went thru, it is only a testament to his pressure and resolution.Scouting record
Everyone desired a glimpse of Woods when he arrived at Augusta National on Sunday. Cameron Davis turned into one of the few that saw him up close. Smith performed some holes with Woods on Sunday. On Monday, he pointed out it.