Tiger Woods is at Augusta ahead of the Masters as he prepares to make ‘game-time decision’

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Sunday before the Masters did not exactly bring the answer to every patron’s prayer, but it did bring a sighting of Tiger Woods at Augusta and an update on his status for the 86th edition, which begins on Thursday.

‘It will be a game-time decision on whether I can compete,’ tweeted Woods before his private plane touched down in Augusta shortly after 1pm.

All morning the area around the clubhouse had been filled with families of children from all over America who had qualified for a ‘Drive, Chip and Putt competition’ run by the club.

No prizes for guessing that Augusta National had returned to its more customary spectral calm by the time Woods’ car made its way along Magnolia Drive and a journey he could not have contemplated even a month ago.

Tiger Woods has been on the course at Augusta National as he considers playing the Masters

Tiger Woods has been on the course at Augusta National as he considers playing the Masters

The 15-time major champion said he would make a 'game-time decision' on whether to play

The 15-time major champion said he would make a ‘game-time decision’ on whether to play

‘I am here to continue my preparation and practice,’ added Woods, who could leave it as late as Thursday morning before making up his mind.

Clearly, the next three days amount to an extended fitness test for his surgically rebuilt right leg on Augusta’s steep and rugged contours, although a poor weather forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday might curtail the amount of holes he plays.

We are this close, therefore, to the completion of one of the great sporting comebacks, this close to Woods returning to competition on the 25th anniversary of his first appearance here as a professional, when he won by 12 shots.

Wearing a shirt the colour of a Georgia peach, dark sunglasses and smiling broadly, Woods hopped into a cart and was driven to the practice ground, where he shook hands with Kevin Na and embraced Billy Horschel.

Woods was in good spirits as he continued to fuel speculation of a sensational return

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Woods was in good spirits as he continued to fuel speculation of a sensational return

Woods did not dwell there too long. He had three bags of practice balls by his side, but contented himself with hitting just 33 of them, including seven with a driver. He was moving freely and looked good, absolutely striping most of them. When he got to the course, he headed straight for the 10th tee.

It would be nice to report on what he did thereafter and how many holes he played, but the press were not allowed anywhere near the course after lunch. Nothing to report there, apparently. Who is interested in Tiger playing for the first time since his near-fatal car accident 14 months ago anyway? How ridiculous.

One encouraging sign that he is ready to give the green light to the green jackets is there is a press conference inked in for tomorrow, a day when he will also attend the Champions’ Dinner. The draw for the first two rounds is also made tomorrow. It is hard to imagine Woods would allow his name to go forward for that if he did not have every intention of fulfilling his tee times.

The first inkling that another Tiger Masters miracle was in the offing came at the Genesis Invitational in February. Although Woods played down any hope of an imminent return to the game, it was interesting that he did not rule out Augusta when directly asked. Ten days ago, his name remained on the list of active competitors on the Masters website, while others such as Phil Mickelson sent their apologies.

The 46-year-old has not featured at a top-level event since the Masters in November 2020

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The 46-year-old has not featured at a top-level event since the Masters in November 2020

Billy Horschel embraced Woods during a practice round at Augusta National on Sunday

Billy Horschel embraced Woods during a practice round at Augusta National on Sunday

The reason why became clear as footage emerged of Woods walking 18 holes at the Medalist course near his home in Florida. Another hurdle cleared, he made his way last Tuesday for a practice round at Augusta with his son Charlie and great friend Justin Thomas.

‘He’s obviously trying everything he can to make it to the Masters,’ said Rory McIlroy, who was also practising at the course that day.

Clearly there have been no setbacks since then for Woods to issue his latest bulletin and make his way back to Augusta. From a distance yesterday, he did not appear to have any mobility issues at all.

Now, alongside putting his body through golf’s ultimate test over Augusta’s rolling hills, he will be hoping to see signs over the next three days that he can compete, because there is no way Woods will play just because he can, as a former champion.

One look at his preposterously good Masters record tells you as much. In 21 starts he’s won five times, had eight top-threes, 14 top-10s and has never missed the cut. Even though there would be the most extenuating of circumstances on this occasion, he will not want to start this week.

Woods, 46, is due to speak at a press conference at Augusta tomorrow

Woods, 46, is due to speak at a press conference at Augusta tomorrow 

It was at the November Masters in 2020 that Woods made his last appearance in a proper event. Shortly after, he had his fifth back operation and shortly after that came the car crash in Los Angeles that changed everything.

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Last December, he made his first public outing since the accident, alongside Charlie in a parent-child tournament.

Woods rode in a cart and even walking one hole caused him to flinch in pain.

This morning, the gates will open at Augusta National and for the first time since Woods’ victory miracle in 2019, a full complement of patrons will be allowed on to the premises. What a bonus, on top of the souvenir emporium, Amen Corner and all the other places they planned on visiting, that they now get to see Tiger.

If emotion and adrenaline can help Woods on his way to making it to the first tee come Thursday you suspect that, over the next three days, he is about to get all the help he needs.

Fingers crossed, y’all.

Tiger Woods’ recovery timeline

February 2021 – Suffers career-threatening injuries in a serious single-vehicle car crash in Los Angeles

November 2021 – Footage of Woods hitting a shot with a wedge is posted to his social media accounts

December 8, 2021 – Woods announces he will play the PNC Championship with son Charlie 

December 18, 2021 – Woods and his son produce stunning final round but finish second at the tournament in Orlando

February 2022 – Woods admits recovery has been slower than he wanted.  ‘I wish I could tell you when I’m playing again,’ he said

March 29, 2022 – Fuels speculation of return after playing practice round at Augusta 

April 3, 2022 – Woods practices at Augusta again with less than a week before start of the Masters 



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