The Masters would be Wood’s first official start since his car accident in February 2021 that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg. He finished second with Charlie at the PNC Championships in December, but drove a cart during that scramble tournament. Woods was last seen three weeks ago at PGA TOUR headquarters at his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
“You’re going to see me on the PGA TOUR, I just don’t know when,” Woods told CBS’ Jim Nantz on last month’s telecast of The Genesis Invitational.
In his pre-tournament press conference at The Genesis, Woods expressed frustration at the slow pace of his comeback and said he still needs to build strength to compete in tournaments.
“I’m a lot stronger than I was (at the PNC),” said Woods of the Riviera Country Club. “But to be able to be out here and play – let’s call it six rounds of golf, one practice round, Pro-Am, four days of competition – it’s the cumulative effect of all of that. I can’t do that yet.”
A return to Augusta National seemed unlikely given the course’s hilly terrain, but speculation began to mount as his name stayed in the Masters field rather than the Past Champions Not Playing category. Videos also recently appeared on social media showing Woods walking his caddy Joe LaCava at his home club, Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.
Woods is reportedly using his laps this week to gauge whether his legs can stand up to walking the hilly terrain of Augusta National. Woods couldn’t even attend the Champions Dinner at last year’s Masters, which took place less than two months after his accident. Woods has missed the Masters just four times (2014, ’16, ’17, ’21) since his debut in 1995, all through injury.