Excitement building as Tiger returns to Masters
ANTICIPATION is building around Augusta National for Tiger Woods’s return to the Masters, with ticket scalpers already offering prized passes to the drama at the year’s first major golf tournament.
Players travelled Magnolia Lane to the clubhouse on the eve of today’s first official practice session for the 82nd Masters, where 14-time major winner Woods will try for a fifth green jacket after his fourth back operation.
“I’m just there to win,” Woods said in a posting on his website this week. “I’ve been better with each week I’ve competed. A little more crisp. I’m starting to put the pieces together.”
Woods missed his third Masters in four years last year after spinal fusion surgery but has contended in his past two starts, sharing fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and second at the Valspar Championship. “It’s fantastic what we’re seeing of Tiger. He looks in control of his game,” said Britain’s Justin Rose, last year’s Masters runner-up.
Woods, who at a low point doubted he would ever play competitive golf again, has seen interest in his comeback tale at age 42 send resale prices for Masters badges soaring several thousand dollars above face value.
“I got a second chance on life,” Woods said. “I am a walking miracle.”
Woods hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open, hasn’t won a tournament since the 2013 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, hasn’t played in a major since missing the cut at the 2015 PGA Championship and last won the Masters in 2005.
“I’m just really looking forward to playing,” Woods said.
“It’s the best-run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere ... it’s a golfers heaven.” A streak of 12 rounds at par or better has shown Woods has regained his health.
Woods played two ninehole practice rounds two weeks ago at Augusta National, his first at the course since the final round in 2015.
“They resurfaced a few of the greens but they still look they have been there for 100 years,” he said.
Woods, whose 79 career PGA wins are three shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record, faces a world-class field with several top rivals playing their best as well.
Multiple major winners Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson, plus 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, have won Masters tune-up events and reigning British Open champion Jordan Spieth, the 2015 US Open and Masters winner who was third Sunday at Houston, is peaking at the perfect time.
Defending champion Sergio Garcia will try to become the first repeat winner of the Masters since Woods in 2001-02.
Having become a husband and father since ending his major drought after 73 failures, his daughter Azalea was named after ne of his favourite Augusta National holes.