Tiger Woods burst out to claim electrifying….

Tiger Woods burst out to claim electrifying….

Tiger Woods is gearing up for what could be his 26th appearance at the Masters next week, despite grappling with lingering leg injuries stemming from a harrowing car crash in 2021. The 15-time major champion, whose track to Augusta was noted just a week ago, is scheduled to address the press at Augusta National on Tuesday and is still listed among the tournament participants on the event’s website, rather than in the non-playing champions’ section.

 

However, the 48-year-old American icon, whose 82 PGA Tour victories tie him with Sam Snead for the all-time record, continues to wrestle with physical setbacks, as revealed by his longtime friend Notah Begay.

“He’s working on devising a strategy and approach that he can manage given the limitations he’s facing, and he does have some limitations,” Begay told reporters on Wednesday.

 

Despite his last major win dating back to 2008, Woods has encountered challenges since his return from the 2021 accident, notably struggling to complete all 72 holes at the hilly Masters course last year, where he finished 47th.

 

In 2023, Woods equaled a Masters record by making his 23rd consecutive cut, reaching the same milestone as Gary Player and Fred Couples, only to later withdraw due to plantar fasciitis and subsequently undergo ankle surgery in April.

Reports indicate that the five-time Masters champion practiced at Augusta National last weekend alongside his friend Justin Thomas and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.

 

Woods has only participated in one PGA event this season, withdrawing after one round due to illness at Riviera in February.

 

The primary concern for Woods remains his ability to walk all four rounds, according to Begay.

“He’s been working on recovery,” Begay explained. “He can play golf. We always knew the question would be, ‘Can he walk the 72?’ That’s still uncertain.”

 

“Can he recuperate from one round to the next? That’s the biggest question. I really don’t know, and he won’t know until he’s out there figuring out whether his preparation for this year’s Masters will be effective,” Begay added.

 

Woods has delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in golf history at Augusta National, igniting crowds with his remarkable shotmaking abilities.

 

His first major victory at the Masters came in 1997, followed by wins in 2001, where he completed a “Tiger Slam,” and in 2002, becoming one of only three players alongside Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo to win back-to-back Masters titles. He secured his fourth green jacket in 2005.

 

In 2019, Woods staged a miraculous comeback by clinching the Masters title once again, overcoming multiple back surgeries that had cast doubts on his ability to even lead a normal life, let alone play golf.

 

Following his devastating car crash in 2021, which left him with a shattered ankle and multiple leg fractures, Woods expressed gratitude for still having his leg intact but faced a grueling journey to return for the 2022 Masters.

 

However, since then, Woods has only participated in three majors, withdrawing from last year’s Masters and the 2022 PGA Championship, and failing to make the cut at the 2022 British Open.