THE MASTERS PLAN
Tiger ‘hopes’ he can be healthy for Augusta
Flanked by security and several Barnes & Noble store staffers, the 14-time golf major champion strode along the east side of the fourth floor of the Union Square bookstore Monday, past the history section and to the front of the room while more than 250 fans roared their approval.
Tiger Woods gave a quick wave with his right hand, took off a windbreaker to reveal a gray long-sleeved Nike shirt, took his seat and waited for the onslaught of fans to make their way to the table where he would hold court for the next hour and change.
Woods, 41, took no questions from the media maw stationed behind the velvet rope to his left, nor did he wince when walking or sitting in his seat. The only hint that he gave about his immediate playing future were in interviews with “Good Morning America” and USA Today. Woods told “GMA” host Michael Strahan Monday morning that he hoped to be in the Masters field in two weeks, what will be the 20th anniversary of his history-making performance at Augusta when he won his first major championship, an 18-under par demolition of the rest of the field. Woods finished 12 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor, Tom Kite.
“I hope so. I’m trying. I’m trying every day to get back and play,” Woods told Strahan Monday when asked about the Masters. “I love that event. It’s meant so much to me in my life. It’s the first major I ever played back in ’95. It has so much history and meaning to me that I’d love to get back.’’
The last tournament Woods played in was the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last month. Woods shot a first-round score of 77 and withdrew from the tournament because of back spasms. Woods has had three back surgeries since 2014. His last major win was the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Woods was in Manhattan Monday to promote his new book, “The 1997 Masters: My Story,” and his Union Square appearance will be his only book signing. Some fans paid a heavy toll to be able to get Woods’ signature. Nick Bowers, 34, made a seven-hour drive from his hometown of Pittsburgh Sunday to try and secure a spot outside B & N. He stood on the Union Square sidewalk starting at 10:30 p.m. Sunday night and waited until the store JEFFERSON SIEGEL/DAILY NEWS & GETTY opened and allowed Woods’ fans inside. Bowers had a spot in the second row, next to the media.
“I still got to drive home after this,” said Bowers, who was sporting a Pirates baseball cap, South Carolina sweatshirt, jeans and a beard that would make “Duck Dynasty” cast members jealous. “I’m an avid golfer and been a Tiger fan ever since he won in ’97.”
Before Woods took the B&N dais, fans were warned not to bring any Woods memorabilia for signing. “He will not do it,” a B&N rep said. Woods smiled for the photographers once he reached his designated spot, and he held up his book before beginning the long process of signing his name to the stream of tomes placed before him. Woods stayed until every fan present had a chance to meet him and get a book signed.
Less clear is the outlook for Woods playing in the Masters.
“I do have a chance,” to play, Woods told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m trying everything I possibly can to get to that point. I’m working, I’m working on my game. I just need to get to a point where I feel like I’m good enough, and I’m healthy enough to do it . ... I’ve been a part of so many Masters over the course of my career, I know exactly what it takes to get ready for that event. Now it’s my job to go out there and get ready. “I hope I can.”