AUGUSTA, Ga. (Reuters) – Tiger Woods has been a part of many Masters cliffhangers however most have come on the last day of the main, not the first.
Woods left the sports activities world buzzing by taking part in a apply spherical at Augusta National on Tuesday after which on Sunday provided up one other teaser, saying his participation can be a “game-time choice”.
The 46-year-old may write a ebook on the artwork of the comeback however an look on the first tee on Thursday may effectively be his best, on condition that he confronted the chance of getting his proper leg amputated after a automobile crash 14 months in the past.
Certainly, the 15-time main winner may decide no higher place to return than Augusta.
Woods has made 23 Masters appearances and has a locker full of Green Jackets, quantity 5 coming in 2019 when, after years of surgical procedure and private issues, he ended an 11-year drought in the majors.
Should Woods determine to play it would make terrific theatre, bringing the curtain up on the main season and offering a particular spectacle for the Masters as it emerges from two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
If not for Woods, Rory McIlroy could effectively have had the pre-Masters highlight on him, the Northern Irishman once more arrives at Augusta bidding to finish the profession Grand Slam.
Like Augusta’s well-known azaleas, it is a storyline that pops up each April just for McIlroy to wilt as he did final yr when he missed the lower.
This yr McIlroy is available in as one in all the hottest gamers on the PGA Tour however like everybody else is pondering the chance of seeing Woods again in motion.
“I feel for golf and for the Masters match and for everybody, to have Tiger there can be phenomenal,” mentioned McIlroy.
“Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he’s there. It would be awesome for him to be there.
“Obviously, no one knows but him if he can make it around and if he believes he can compete.”
Like Woods, Hideki Matsuyama is facing fitness questions, raising concerns he will not be able to defend his Masters crown.
The first Japanese man to win a major championship, Matsuyama was forced to withdraw from The Players Championship in March with a back issue and last week did the same midway through his second round at the Texas Open citing a neck injury.
However, Matsuyama’s agent told Reuters that, “Hideki is looking forward to successfully defending his title next week.”
The solely query hanging over new world primary Scottie Scheffler is can the 25-year-old’s pink scorching kind take him to a Green Jacket.
Scheffler had by no means gained on the PGA Tour earlier than this season however has completed high the leaderboard in three of his final 5 begins, selecting up titles at the Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play occasion.
Jon Rahm, the man Scheffler changed as primary, is the betting favorite to observe up his win at final yr’s U.S. Open with a Green Jacket, and with good cause.
The big-hitting Spaniard has performed the Masters 5 instances and completed in the high 10 on 4 of these visits to Augusta.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Augusta; Additional reporting Frank Pingue; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
