The 86th Augusta Masters is already historic: Tiger Woods will make an unexpected comeback there on Thursday, thirteen months after the car accident that almost cost him his right leg, to run for a 6th coronation which would be unheard of, against a fierce competition.
Thursday at 10:34 a.m. local (4:34 p.m. French time), the “Tiger” will come out of the woods and swing again on the Georgian soil of his greatest exploits, where he won five of his fifteen Majors, the very first in 1997, the last to date in 2019.
And given what he had to endure, after his terrible accident on February 23, 2021 near Los Angeles, narrowly avoiding amputation for the multiple open fractures in his right leg which required the insertion of a metal rod in the tibia, and screws to consolidate the bones of the foot and the ankle, it is already a huge victory.
But Woods, 46, his body bruised by so many other injuries, especially his back, operated five times in recent years, is not content to recover from everything. He’s coming to win again.
“I can win the Masters this week. I can hit the ball really well. I have no doubts what I can do golf-wise,” he said Tuesday, after announcing his participation.
– “Physical challenge” –
His own story gives him reason to believe in his star. He won the 2008 US Open despite a double stress fracture in his leg and a torn knee ligament. Eleven years and five back operations later, including a delicate fusion of the vertebrae, he returned to the top, adding a 5th Masters to his list.
“This week’s challenge is not about golf. It’s only physical, with the terrain. It will be a big marathon. 72 holes is a long way, a difficult challenge, but I’m ready for it. raise”, assured the American who has always crossed the cut in Augusta and knows every corner of the course, extended by 32 meters this year to bring it to 6,867 in total.
A 6th crown in Georgia, to equal Jack Nicklaus’ record, would undoubtedly be the most improbable and therefore the greatest of his many achievements, after almost 17 months without competition.
“His return is a prodigy. It is once again to the credit of his irreproachable work ethic. I think he would not have come without having in mind the idea of winning”, he also returned Nicklaus tribute.
If his leg will be his first opponent, there will be no shortage of rivals.
– Matsuyama defends his title –
There will be the title holder, the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, but who is not in great shape. Unlike the American Scottie Scheffler, who will release his place as world No.1, in the wake of his victory in the World Match-Play Championship.
There will also be the former holder of the throne, the Spaniard Jon Rahm (N.2), one of the five players likely to dislodge Scheffler, with Collin Morikawa (3rd), winner of the British Open last year, the Norwegian Viktor Hovland (4th), Patrick Cantlay (5th) and Australian Cameron Smith (6th). Without forgetting Justin Thomas (7th), Dustin Johnson (8th), winner in 2020, or even Rory McIlroy, still looking for the only Major title missing from his list.
It won’t last, but all have eyes only for the current 973rd in the world, Tiger Woods.
“There is electricity in the air compared to previous editions. You can feel it. I have never seen so many people around the greens during his training on Sunday,” said Rahm. “I think he’s going to feed off that fervor, that adrenaline will definitely help him,” Thomas said.
The “Tiger” does not hide it: “it’s good to feel this energy again”. And to warn: “I don’t show up for a tournament if I don’t think I can win it”.
