Back on golf’s biggest stage barely a year after a serious car accident that almost cost him his leg, Tiger Woods will make his triumphant return Thursday at Augusta National, beginning his Masters opening round at 10:34 AM ET. Woods is grouped with Joaquin Niemann and World No. 14 Louis Oosthuizen, who finished runner-up at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship last year.
Speculation of Woods’ return began last week when he took the course for a practice round with son Charlie and close friend Justin Thomas. The 46-year-old tweeted he would be a “game-time decision” for the Masters, later confirming his intention to play at Tuesday’s press conference.
Buzz for Tiger’s return has been through the roof with fans eagerly anticipating Woods’ first tour event in well over a year, playing Augusta for the first time since breaking both legs in a frightening car crash last February, spending nearly a month at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Even making the cut would be seen as a major accomplishment for Woods—a year ago, it was uncertain whether he’d ever walk again, let alone play the most prestigious event on the PGA calendar. But based on the crowd he drew Wednesday, you’d think he was the odds-on favorite.
This was the chaotic scene at Woods’ practice round with fans flooding the gallery, hoping to catch a glimpse of the five-time champion in his final 18 before the tournament.
Woods completed one of the great comeback arcs in sports history with his Masters win in 2019, clawing back to relevance after a turbulent decade overshadowed by injuries, addiction, an explosive cheating scandal (forever sullying his public image) and an overall decline in performance. Capturing a sixth green jacket this week would be even more remarkable.
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