The Masters 2022: Tiger Woods to make 'game-time decision' on Augusta participation
- Planet Sport writer
- 3 April 2022
Fans are hoping to see the return of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods at Augusta.
Tiger Woods has confirmed he will practice at Augusta before making his decision about competing at the Masters next week.
The five-time Masters champion has not played in a top-level event since being involved in a life-threatening car crash in February 2021.
Woods is the second most successful major winning of all-time (15) with only Jack Nicklaus (18) with more.
Woods required surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg and further injuries to his foot and ankle following the single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles.
It has been regarded as a miracle that he is alive let alone making yet another comeback to the course, considering his long list of injuries.
"I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice," five-times Masters champion Woods said on his personal Twitter account on Sunday.
"It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete."
I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice. It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete. Congratulations to 16-year-old Anna Davis on an amazing win at the @anwagolf and good luck to all the kids in the @DriveChipPutt.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 3, 2022
Woods' potential participation at the Masters, the first major tournament of 2022, has been the talk of the golfing world.
The 46-year-old American, who feared his right leg would have to be amputated, made the headline in December after competing in the PNC Championship with his son Charlie.
Woods was allowed to use a cart in the 36-hole event and could opt not to hit some shots due to the scramble format.
Whether he would be granted the same access at Augusta should he decide to play is something that has not been answered by the organisers.
The golfing world is divided on the current topic, as it would give Woods an advantage of not walking around the 18-hole course.
He said in February that he could 'walk on a treadmill all day', but had a 'long way to go' before being fit enough to tackle a course with the undulations of Augusta.
Woods comeback would be 'phenomenal'
Rory McIlroy has labelled his potential comeback as 'awesome'.
"I think for golf and for the Masters tournament and for everyone, to have Tiger there would be phenomenal," said McIlroy.
"I think it just adds to the event. Obviously, it does.
"Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he's there. I mean, it would be awesome for him to be there.
"He was there yesterday obviously and he's trying to see what he can do. Obviously no one knows but him if he can make it around and if he believes he can compete."
