AUGUSTA, United States —
Tiger Woods practiced before thousands of supportive spectators on Monday at Augusta
National ahead of the 86th Masters, where he hopes to make his first start
since a car crash 14 months ago left him with severe right leg injuries.
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The prospect of an astonishing comeback by the
46-year-old US star, who says it will be a “game-time decision” if he tees off
Thursday, built an electric atmosphere at the famed course, which welcomed a
full crowd for the first time since Woods’ 2019 win due to
COVID-19 limits.
“Tiger just walked out of the clubhouse to scenes
and atmosphere like you’ve never seen before,” three-time Masters winner
Nick Faldo of England tweeted. “Patrons cheering and flocking to cram around the
putting green. And it’s only Monday at the Masters.”
Bryson DeChambeau, the
2020 US Open champion, was
practicing his massive tee shots when the roar erupted.
“From the driving range, we could hear the loud roar
when he came out of the clubhouse up to that first tee,” he said. “That was
pretty special to see, or hear at least.”
With fans cheering in support, Woods played nine
holes with 2017 PGA Championship winner
Justin Thomas and 1992 Masters winner
Fred Couples, who said Woods looked “phenomenal” and “very impressive” in the
session.
“To go what he has gone through, to be playing today
— I’m sure he’s going to tee it up Thursday,” Couples said. “Now it’s just the
walking part. If he can walk around here for 72 holes, he’ll contend.”
Woods was hospitalized for weeks and unable to walk
for months after the February 2021 automobile accident, saying he was lucky to
be alive and not have his leg amputated.
So it’s no wonder players and fans alike were
thrilled by the prospect the 15-time major winner might make chase another
major triumph.
“It’s exciting there’s the possibility he’s going to
play this week,” said 2013 Masters champion
Adam Scott of Australia. “I really
hope he does. No matter what, it would just be epic.”
Scott warned that if he plays, Woods is a true
threat to win a sixth Masters green jacket -- matching the all-time record of
Jack Nicklaus — and 16th career major title, two shy of Nicklaus’s all-time
mark.
“I’ve learned long ago never doubt the guy,” Scott
said. “If he can get around, which seems to be the question, you can’t doubt
his golf.”
Woods required major rehabilitation just to play in
an event with his son last December, when he could use a cart and didn’t have
to walk the entire course.
However, after giving no timetable for a return,
Woods played an 18-hole practice round last Tuesday at Augusta National,
testing his fitness to walk the hilly course.
‘Not surprised, amazed’
“I’m not surprised. I’m amazed,” said 37th-ranked Max
Homa. “I’d be surprised if it was anyone else that has ever lived. It’s a true
testament to his work ethic. It’s remarkable really.”
A quarter-century after Woods won his first major
title by an astonishing 12 strokes at
Augusta National to launch “Tigermania,”
he is again thrilling the Georgia crowd after spectators were banned in 2020
for his title defense — the most recent official event Woods has played.
Spectators lined the first hole three and four deep
to watch Woods, showing how much it means to them to have Woods even attempt
such an incredible return.
“If I’m in his shoes, I don’t do everything I’ve
done for the last few months and show up here and not play,” world number 13
Billy Horschel said. “The only thing stopping him, I think, would be if he gets
some kind of injury.
“I’m guessing he’s going to play and I’m going to be
just as excited as everyone else to see him tee it up out here on Thursday.”
With storms forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday,
Monday could mark the last opportunity for Woods and other players to test
themselves over the record 7,510-yard, par-72 layout.
Woods, who fell to 973 in Monday’s world rankings,
has already made an extraordinary comeback at the Masters, winning in 2019 for
his first major triumph since 2008 after spinal fusion surgery.
Should Woods play and manage a fairytale triumph on
Sunday, he would become the oldest Masters winner and third-oldest major
champion in golf history, trailing only last year’s
PGA Championship victory at
age 50 by Phil Mickelson and Julius Boros, who won the 1968 PGA at age 48.
At 46 years, three months and 11 days, Woods would be a
day older than Old Tom Morris when he won the 1867 British Open and three weeks
older than Nicklaus when he won the 1986 Masters.
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