Tiger plays 18 but unsure of Masters: reports

Augusta, April 1: Tiger Woods played an 18- hole practice round on Tuesday at Augusta National but remains uncertain if he will compete in next week’s Masters, according to reports.

ESPN and USA Today, citing comments from Woods agent Mark Steinberg, reported that Woods continues to work on his game but is undecided if he will be ready in time for the year’s first major and try for a fifth green jacket.

“Tiger clearly is working hard and he will advise as to when he is ready to play competitively,” Steinberg told ESPN.

Woods flew to Augusta early Tuesday, his plane being spotted at the local airport to provide the first clue that he was in town and looking to test himself over the famed layout.

The golfer has not played in a US PGA Tour event since withdrawing at February. “Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”

Woods said his latest issues were unrelated to the back surgery he had exactly one year ago, an operation that caused him to miss the Masters for the first time in 20 years.

Former world number one Woods skipped traditional Masters tuneups at Doral and Bay Hill, but told tournament host Arnold Palmer that he hoped to be ready for the Masters.

“Missing AP, but making strides and working hard towards hopeful Masters return,” Woods tweeted.

If Woods does play next week at Augusta National, it will mark his longest layoff before a major since the 2010 Masters, when he finished equal fourth after five months off in the wake of his infamous sex scandal.