Tiger Woods insists he can win a sixth inexperienced jacket and sixteenth main title, regardless of detailing the ache he faces on the overwhelming majority of pictures at Augusta Nationwide.
Woods has performed fewer than five-and-a-half aggressive rounds since present process ankle surgical procedure in April final 12 months after withdrawing from the Masters throughout the third spherical.
The 48-year-old returned to motion within the Hero World Problem in December and accomplished all 72 holes, however was compelled to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational in February as a consequence of sickness after six holes of the second spherical.
Woods had additionally suffered a again spasm which led to a dreaded shank on the 18th gap in spherical one, however caught to his tried and examined reply when requested what he thought he may obtain this week. “If every thing comes collectively, I feel I can get yet one more,” Woods stated, including with a smile: “Do I would like to explain that any greater than that, or are we good?”
But that query and reply got here simply minutes after Woods had candidly described the problems that the litany of accidents he has suffered through the years – together with virtually dropping his proper leg following a automobile accident in 2021 – trigger him on something however a superbly flat lie.
“Each shot that’s not on a tee field is a problem,” Woods conceded. “The ankle doesn’t damage anymore. It’s fused. It’s not going wherever. In order that’s high-quality. It’s different components of my physique that now need to take the brunt of it.
“The again, the knee, different components of the physique need to take the load of it and simply the endurance functionality of strolling a very long time and being on my ft for a very long time (is a matter).
“Issues simply flare up. The coaching that we have now to do at house, it modifications from a day-to-day foundation. Some days I simply really feel actually good and different days not a lot. I damage each day. I assumed that, once I was at Hero, as soon as a month could be a very nice rhythm. Hasn’t labored out that means. However now we have now main championships each month from right here by way of July so now the as soon as a month hopefully kicks in.”
Whereas writing Woods off has proved a harmful recreation prior to now, making a Twenty fourth-consecutive minimize at Augusta Nationwide, having equalled the report shared by Gary Participant and Fred {Couples} final 12 months, seems a much more achievable aim than successful.
“I feel it’s consistency, it’s longevity and it’s an understanding of easy methods to play this golf course,” Woods stated of that potential landmark.
“That’s one of many explanation why you see gamers which can be of their 50s and 60s make cuts right here, or it’s gamers of their late 40s have runs at successful the occasion, simply the understanding of easy methods to play it.
“Now, you continue to need to exit and execute it, however there’s numerous data that goes into understanding easy methods to play it. And, granted, each tee field has been modified because the first time I performed. Each inexperienced has been modified.
“However the general configuration of how they roll and the way they transfer and the angles you are taking, that hasn’t modified.
“That’s the neat factor about this. I can nonetheless undergo the psychological Rolodex and convey out a couple of putts from the ’90s that also transfer usually in that route and the impact that Rae’s Creek has on sure pictures and putts. And it means so much.”
Woods, who will companion Jason Day and Max Homa within the first two rounds, stated he remained in discussions about turning into Ryder Cup captain in 2025 and likewise reiterated his view that Rory McIlroy would undoubtedly win the Masters sooner or later to finish the profession grand slam.
“No query, he’ll do it sooner or later,” Woods stated. “Rory’s too gifted, too good. He’s going to be taking part in this occasion for a really very long time. He’ll get it finished. It’s only a matter of when.
“I feel that Rory shall be a terrific Masters champion at some point and it may very well be this week. The best way he performs the sport and the golf course matches his eye, it’s only a matter of time.”