Tiger Woods eyes record at 26th Masters appearance.

Tiger Woods, the five-time Masters champion, appears poised to make his 26th appearance at Augusta National Golf Club this week, barring any unforeseen setbacks.

Flying from Stuart, Florida to Augusta on Sunday, Woods was spotted at the club’s practice area alongside his caddie, Lance Bennett, with whom he collaborated during the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in February.

 

This marks the first time Woods and Bennett have teamed up at Augusta National, as Woods’ former caddie, Joe LaCava, now works with Patrick Cantlay full-time.

Attempting to establish a Masters record by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time, Woods aims to bounce back from last year’s setback when he withdrew due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

 

In his most recent outing, Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational due to illness during the second round, revealing later that he was battling the flu and facing lower back tightness.

 

Notah Begay III, Woods’ former Stanford teammate and NBC Sports golf analyst, disclosed that Woods is grappling with lower back issues and limited mobility in his left ankle.

 

Woods’ appearance at the Genesis Invitational, his sole PGA Tour appearance this season, has impacted his world ranking, currently standing at 950th.

 

Having undergone surgery in April 2023 to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right ankle stemming from a 2021 car accident, Woods participated in a one-day pro-member tournament at Seminole Golf Club in March.

 

Since returning to professional golf following the car accident, Woods has faced mixed results, withdrawing or missing the cut in four of six starts, with his last top-20 finish dating back to the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open.

 

As Woods gears up for the Masters, his ability to endure the physical demands of the tournament remains uncertain, with questions lingering about his recovery between rounds.

 

For Woods, finding a winning formula amidst his physical challenges remains a work in progress, leaving the golf world eagerly anticipating his performance at Augusta National.