Tiger Woods arrives in Augusta intent on playing in his 26th Masters

All signs are pointing toward Tiger Woods playing in the 88th Masters for the 26th time in his career, ESPN reported Sunday.

Woods, who has won the Masters five times, was seen practising at Augusta National Golf Club after flying in from Florida on Sunday. He was with his caddie, Lance Bennett, who worked with Woods at the Genesis Invitational back in February.

Woods was also photographed practicing, with the pictures being shared by Augusta National Golf Club in a social media post on X.

Multiple media outlets reported Woods played a round of golf within the past week or so at Augusta.

Bennett has not yet caddied for Woods during a Masters. Joe LaCava used to tend Woods’ bag, but LaCava is now working full-time with Patrick Cantlay.

Woods can make history this year, as he is going for his 24th straight made cut at the Masters. He currently shares the record of 23 consecutive made cuts with Gary Player and Fred Couples, a mark he reached in 2023 before withdrawing ahead of the third round due to plantar fasciitis.

Woods also had to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational due to an illness.

Spain’s Jon Rahm is the defending champion at the Masters, which Woods last won in 2019. Since then, Woods finished tied for 38th in the 2020 event, did not participate in 2021, finished 47th in 2022 and withdrew last year because of plantar fasciitis after making the 36-hole cut.

He was also victorious in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Tiger has ‘zero mobility’ with ankle

Woods has been dealing with health issues for quite some time now.

While that’s hardly breaking news, Notah Begay III likely raised a few eyebrows recently when discussing the health of the 15-time major champion during a conference call, per USA Today.

“He’s trying to formulate a strategy and approach that he can work within given the constraints that he’s presented with. And he’s got some constraints,” said Begay, a longtime friend and commentator for NBC Sports.

“He’s got zero mobility in that left ankle and really has low-back challenges now, which he knew he was going to have.”

Woods withdrew from his own tournament, the Genesis Invitational in February, due to what he said was the flu, although many questioned if it was a back issue.

The 48-year-old has been nursing several injuries, including a severe injury to his right leg, since he was involved in a car accident in February 2021.

“For the past couple months, he’s been trying to find a way to recover,” Begay said. “He can play the golf. We always knew the question was going to be, ‘Can he walk the 72 [holes]?’ That’s still up in the air. But can he recover, from one round to the next?

“That’s the biggest question that I really don’t know and he’s not going to know either until he gets out there and figures out whether the way he’s prepared for this year’s Masters is going to work for him.”

The Masters: Facts and figures

• Dates: Thursday through Sunday
• Course length: 7,555 yards
• Par: 36-36–72
• Purse: To be announced ($18 million US in 2023)
• Field: 88 players (five amateurs), with one spot open for Texas Open winner
• Cut: Top 50 and ties
• Defending champion: Jon Rahm

Canadian flavour

Four Canadians will be among the 89 players at this week’s tournament: Mike Weir (2003 champion), Nick Taylor (PGA Tour winner since 2023 Masters) Corey Conners (Part of field from 2023 Tour Championship) and Adam Hadwin (among top 50 from final world ranking last season).

LIV and let live

The field includes 13 players (seven Masters champions) who play for Saudi-funded LIV Golf.

Grand Slam, Take 10

Rory McIlroy tries for the 10th time to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam. He has gone 10 years since winning his last major.