Tiger Woods, practicing at Augusta, appears ready for Masters start in under two weeks.
Tiger Woods Seen Practicing at Augusta, Likely to Compete in The Masters
Tiger Woods has recently been spotted practicing at Augusta National, fueling speculation that he is gearing up to compete in The Masters less than two weeks away.
Despite Woods being listed on the entry roster for The Masters for some time now, his participation was uncertain following his withdrawal from the LA Open in February, marking his return to official competition after a 10-month hiatus due to a car accident in 2021.
However, his presence at Augusta over the weekend suggests that he is ready to return to the iconic event where he first showcased his brilliance with a memorable 12-stroke victory at the age of 21, 27 years ago. Notably, his comeback win at the Masters in 2019, following a spinal fusion surgery, remains one of the most remarkable moments in golf history.
Woods’ journey back to competitive golf has been marred by significant injuries, with him participating in only five events since his surgery in 2021. Although he made the cut at last year’s Masters, he was forced to retire during the third round.
Reports from the United States revealed that Woods played a practice round on Saturday with Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley and Ryder Cup teammate Justin Thomas. If Woods decides to compete and makes the cut, he would set a new record by doing so for the 25th time, surpassing the likes of Gary Player and Fred Couples. Remarkably, Woods has only missed the cut once, back in 1996, just before he turned professional.
In other golf news, Keita Nakajima secured his first victory at the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour. The Japanese player, known as one of the game’s rising stars, clinched the win after spending a record 87 weeks at the top of the amateur rankings and claiming four victories in his homeland.
Despite a late stumble with four dropped shots in the final five holes, Nakajima maintained his composure to finish at 17 under par, securing a four-shot victory over Veer Ahlawat of India, Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden, and Johannes Veerman of the United States.
Reflecting on his win, Nakajima expressed his desire to secure a spot on the PGA Tour by finishing in the top 10 on the Race to Dubai order of merit, aiming for a debut on the US circuit in 2025.
“It’s my first year on the DP World Tour, and I’m extremely proud to have clinched the victory here,” said Nakajima.
