For the first time in his career, Tiger Woods knows he cannot win the Masters Tournament this weekend. The legendary golfer is acutely aware of his physical limitations and the toll that the time he has been away from the game has taken on his ability to compete. He has spent the past year rebuilding his body after a near-fatal car crash, and this week backers of the revered athlete prepare to bid him farewell with his 25th master’s appearance.
He is still able to swing a club in spite of the pain in his leg, and he is making the most of the time he has with his son Charlie by teaching him the sport on the same course he learned from his father. But Tiger admits that the joy of the sport is different now, and he doesn’t know for how many more Masters he will be able to compete.
Despite his physical state, the star still draws crowds on the driving range, with spectators hoping against hope that despite his struggles, he can still conjure up a miracle, or even conjure up a somewhat respectable result. His friend Fred Couples, another past Master’s winner, has confidentially said that Tiger will be ‘fine’ at the Masters.
At Augusta, they remember and fondly acknowledge the past victors, such as Sam Snead in 2002, who was applauded despite hitting a spectator with his drive. Woods has been warmly welcomed this week at the tournament and time has healed any of the publicly stated reprimands that former chairman of the club Billy Payne relayed in 2010 due to Woods’s personal indiscretions.
It is clear here that Woods is no longer a contender, despite the mirage of miracles that he presented at the tournament last year. That said, it is likely that Woods will savor every moment of this tournament as he makes his way around the hallowed course, taking in the sights and sounds with an appreciation for the times he has spent here.
Augusta National Golf Club is regarded very highly in sport’s history and has been traditionally known for its courteous and professional practices. The club is known for its custom of introducing the new reigning champion of the Masters Tournament to the world, along with its commitment to host the annual event and recognizing the current winners. It is also famously known for its robust resistance to change, only recently deciding to admit female members.
Tiger Woods is one of the most celebrated golfers in history and a former World No. 1 golfer. Despite his career being hampered by injury and personal scandal, he continues to inspire millions of fans across the globe and is considered to be one of the greatest golfers to have ever played the game. He has won 15 major championships and 81 PGA Tour events in his professional career, and he continues to compete in numerous tournaments around the globe. His latest win was at the 2019 Masters Tournament, which was widely regarded as one of the famous comebacks pitted against him in history.
