Tiger Woods breaks Masters routine for the first time in years, raising security concerns among guards.
Tiger Woods made an early appearance at the Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, a departure from his recent routine. The five-time champion arrived at 8 am ET, treating early patrons to a rare sight. In the past, Woods often frequented the range just after sunrise, refining his game to reach the pinnacle of success. However, since his accident, his mornings have been slower.
A security guard, tasked with managing patrons, noted that in recent years Woods typically arrived around 11 am ET for warm-ups. The guard, who has been at the venue since 2016, remarked, “I’ve never seen him here that early,” following Woods’ surprise 8 am arrival.
The Masters holds a special place for Woods, often being the tournament he prioritizes above all others. Last year, he withdrew during the third round due to physical limitations.
Following ankle fusion surgery, Woods embarked on a gradual return to the course. He participated in the Hero World Challenge, completing all four days. However, he later withdrew from The Genesis Invitational in February, citing flu-like symptoms, though questions linger about his physical condition.
Observers at Augusta noted Woods’ appearance, with the security guard commenting, “He looked like he was 48 years old. He looked old and slow. I wouldn’t bet on him.”
Setting a goal of playing one tournament per month, Woods aims for a steady return to competition. If he completes all four rounds at Augusta, it would mark progress towards that objective.
Reflecting on his strategy, Woods stated, “I think that the best scenario would be maybe a tournament a month. I think that’s realistic.”
After his range session, Woods played nine practice holes with Will Zalatoris and joined in the traditional skip shot on the 16th hole. The golfing world eagerly awaits Woods’ performance at the challenging Augusta course.
