AUGUSTA, Georgia: Tiger Woods practiced ahead of hundreds of supportive spectators on Monday at Augusta Nationwide forward of the 86th Masters, the place he hopes to make his first get started since a automobile crash 14 months in the past left him with serious proper leg accidents. The chance of an astonishing comeback through the 46-year-old US celebrity, who says it’s going to be a “game-time resolution” if he tees off Thursday, constructed an electrical setting on the famed path, which welcomed a complete crowd for the primary time since Woods’ 2019 win because of Covid-19 limits.
“Tiger simply walked out of the clubhouse to scenes and setting such as you’ve by no means observed ahead of,” three-time Masters winner Nick Faldo of England tweeted. “Consumers cheering and flocking to cram across the striking inexperienced. And it’s best Monday on the Masters.” Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion, was once training his large tee pictures when the roar erupted. “From the using vary, lets listen the loud roar when he got here out of the clubhouse as much as that first tee,” he stated. “That was once lovely particular to look, or listen a minimum of.”
With fanatics cheering in fortify, Woods performed 9 holes with 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and 1992 Masters winner Fred {Couples}, who stated Woods seemed “out of the ordinary” and “very spectacular” within the consultation. “To head what he has long gone via, to be enjoying as of late – I’m certain he’s going to tee it up Thursday,” {Couples} stated. “Now it’s simply the strolling phase. If he can stroll round right here for 72 holes, he’ll contend.”
Woods was once hospitalized for weeks and not able to stroll for months after the Feb 2021 car twist of fate, pronouncing he was once fortunate to be alive and now not have his leg amputated. So it’s no surprise avid gamers and fanatics alike have been extremely joyful through the possibility the 15-time main winner would possibly make chase every other main triumph. “It’s thrilling there’s the likelihood he’s going to play this week,” stated 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia. “I in reality hope he does. It doesn’t matter what, it could simply be epic.”
Scott warned that if he performs, Woods is a real danger to win a 6th Masters inexperienced jacket – matching the best-ever report of Jack Nicklaus – and sixteenth profession main name, two shy of Nicklaus’s all-time mark. “I’ve realized way back by no means doubt the fellow,” Scott stated. “If he can get round, which appears to be the query, you’ll be able to’t doubt his golfing.” Woods required main rehabilitation simply to play in an match along with his son remaining December, when he may just use a cart and didn’t have to stroll all the path. Alternatively, after giving no timetable for a go back, Woods performed an 18-hole apply spherical remaining Tuesday at Augusta Nationwide, checking out his health to stroll the hilly path.
‘No longer shocked, amazed’
“I’m now not shocked. I’m amazed,” stated Thirty seventh-ranked Max Homa. “I’d be shocked if it was once any individual else that has ever lived. It’s a real testomony to his paintings ethic. It’s exceptional in reality.” 1 / 4-century after Woods gained his first main name through an astonishing 12 strokes at Augusta Nationwide to release “Tigermania”, he’s once more exciting the Georgia crowd after spectators have been banned in 2020 for his name protection – the latest authentic match Woods has performed.
Spectators coated the primary gap 3 and 4 deep to observe Woods, appearing how a lot it manner to them to have Woods even strive such an improbable go back. “If I’m in his footwear, I don’t do the entirety I’ve carried out for the previous couple of months and display up right here and now not play,” international quantity 13 Billy Horschel stated. “The one factor preventing him, I believe, can be if he will get some more or less damage. “I’m guessing he’s going to play and I’m going to be simply as excited as everybody else to look him tee it up out right here on Thursday.”
With storms forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, Monday may just mark the remaining alternative for Woods and different avid gamers to check themselves over the report 7,510-yard, par-72 format. Woods, who fell to 973 in Monday’s international scores, has already made an odd comeback on the Masters, profitable in 2019 for his first main triumph since 2008 after spinal fusion surgical operation.
Must Woods play and arrange a fairytale triumph on Sunday, he would develop into the oldest Masters winner and third-oldest main champion in golfing historical past, trailing best remaining yr’s PGA Championship victory at age 50 through Phil Mickelson and Julius Boros, who gained the 1968 PGA at age 48. At 46 years, 3 months and 11 days, Woods can be an afternoon older than Previous Tom Morris when he gained the 1867 British Open and 3 weeks older than Nicklaus when he gained the 1986 Masters. – AFP