AUGUSTA, Ga. — Let the Tiger Watch start.
Tiger Woods wasn’t able to formally say on Sunday that he’ll play within the 86th Masters, which is scheduled to start Thursday at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. However in a statement on Twitter, Woods did say that he is arriving right here Sunday to proceed working towards and making ready to play. Later Sunday, he confirmed up at Augusta Nationwide to get some observe in.
Woods, a five-time Masters champion, mentioned it will likely be a “game-time decision.” It will be his first look in an everyday PGA Tour occasion in additional than 17 months, after he was severely injured in a automobile wreck outdoors Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2021. He mentioned medical doctors practically needed to amputate his proper leg.
2022 MASTERS: TEE TIMES, TELEVISION COVERAGE AND MORE
Woods’ first Masters victory was virtually 25 years in the past, on April 13, 1997.
Course work begins
Reporters weren’t the one ones ready for Woods on the match observe space Sunday.
His caddie, Joe LaCava, was there about an hour earlier than Woods. When reporters tried to pry info from LaCava, he responded, “Not even, ‘Hey, Joe, how’s your family? How’s your health?'”
A couple of minutes later, Eire’s Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open Championship winner, walked from the car parking zone to the observe space.
“I take it I’m not the person you’re all waiting for?” he joked to reporters.
Round 2:40 p.m., Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership officers started to escort patrons out of the world as a result of the course was closed to the general public.
Woods confirmed up about 40 minutes later, sporting a peach Nike shirt, black pants, black footwear and a black hat. He fist-bumped PGA Tour professional Kevin Na and acquired a hug from Billy Horschel.
Preparation for the 86th Masters continues. #themasters pic.twitter.com/dQgvGuSZFP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 3, 2022
As Woods hit practically a full bag of balls, Sungjae Im, who was working to the suitable of him within the observe space, stored taking peeks to see how Woods was doing. Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes, Max Homa and Jason Kokrak have been additionally within the observe space with him.
Twenty minutes later, Woods was finished. He and LaCava, together with Woods’ good friend and affiliate, Rob McNamara, have been whisked away in a golf cart. He was apparently headed to the course to play; it was closed to the media so it is unclear how a lot on-course work he deliberate to place in.
What’s with the footwear?
Woods hasn’t but mentioned whether or not he is truly enjoying within the Masters, however he has already precipitated a stir due to what was on his toes within the observe space Sunday.
Woods has had a relationship with Nike since he turned professional in August 1996. However he was sporting black FootJoys, conventional golf footwear, whereas warming up on Sunday. The final time Woods performed within the Masters, in November 2020, he was sporting black Nike footwear.
“Like golf fans around the world, we are delighted to see Tiger back on the course,” Nike mentioned in a press release to ESPN. “He is an incredible athlete, and it is phenomenal to see him returning to the game at this level. His story continues to transcend sport and inspire us all. As he continues to retrun, we will work with him to meet his new needs.”
Tiger arrives in Augusta
Monitoring Woods’ airplane has develop into a factor. The letters and numbers on the tail of his non-public airplane — 517TW — have been charted all day Tuesday as he labored his strategy to Augusta. It occurred once more Sunday after he introduced he was headed to the positioning of the 12 months’s first main.
🚨THE GOAT IS BACK🚨
TW is wheels down at AGS!!!#TigerWoods #TheMasters
(📸 ©03APR2022 EurekaEarth)#EurekaEarth #NotDrone #DiscoverThePresent pic.twitter.com/wmsvaSWKdK
— Eureka Earth® (@EurekaEarthPlus) April 3, 2022
So, monitoring his airplane is over. Now it’s about monitoring his steps and swings as Thursday’s first spherical approaches.
So you might be saying there’s an opportunity
All week, the will-he, gained’t-he questions stored coming. As soon as it was found that Woods flew in from Florida, with son Charlie, and performed a observe spherical at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on Tuesday, the hypothesis began. And with every passing day, the frenzy elevated. Lastly, on Sunday, Woods offered the primary official indication of his pondering,
I can be heading as much as Augusta right now to proceed my preparation and observe. It is going to be a game-time choice on whether or not I compete. Congratulations to 16-year-old Anna Davis on a tremendous win on the @anwagolf and good luck to all the children within the @DriveChipPutt.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 3, 2022
