Woods wants ‘one more’ Masters victory amid physical challenges
One year after withdrawing before the end of the third round of the Masters, Tiger Woods is back at his favorite golf course, his favorite tournament, ready to give it another go.
The five-time Masters winner, now 48, on Tuesday restated what he has said for years amid multiple challenges to his physical fitness: He would not be competing if he didn’t think he could win.
“If everything comes together, I think I can get one more,” Woods said with a grin. “Do I need to describe that any more than that, or are we good?”
Two years ago, Woods made his return to competitive golf at the Masters less than 14 months after a single-car accident nearly cost him his right leg. He made the cut at Augusta National before finishing 47th.
Woods has said that his goal going forward is to play a handful of events a year, possibly once a month, but that has been a challenge. After making the cut at the 2023 Masters, the third round was suspended due to rain and he withdrew rather than returning Sunday, citing plantar fasciitis.
That led to ankle surgery later that month. Woods came back to play two unofficial events in December, but when he attempted to play in the signature event hosted by his foundation, February’s Genesis Invitational, he withdrew early in his second round due to flulike symptoms.
“I wasn’t ready to play. My body wasn’t ready,” Woods said in response to a question about the Genesis. “My game wasn’t ready. And I thought that when I was at [the Hero World Challenge], once a month would be a really nice rhythm. Hasn’t worked out that way.
“But now we have major championships every month from here through July. So now the once a month hopefully kicks in.”
Woods clarified that his left ankle no longer hurts — “It’s fused, it’s not going anywhere” — but other parts of his body like his knee and back take on more of the load when he tries to walk 72 holes.
There was concern when Woods’ friend and NBC Sports commentator
Notah Begay III told reporters last week that Woods had “zero mobility” in his left ankle.
Woods has made 23 consecutive cuts at the Masters, and he can break a tie with Fred Couples and Gary Player for the most all-time if he reaches the weekend this year.
ETC.
NFL: Defensive back
Logan Ryan announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. Ryan, 33, won Super Bowls XLIX and LI with the New England Patriots during his first four seasons in the league. He later signed with Tennessee and memorably intercepted Tom Brady to clinch a 20-13 win in an AFC wild-card game for the Titans on Jan. 4,
2020. The pass was the last thrown by Brady in his career with the Patriots.
Tennis: Former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters due to a right forearm injury. Alcaraz, 20, was slated to play Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday.