Despite describing himself as a ‘walking miracle’, Tiger Woods couldn’t help but declare that he will arrive at Augusta National with only one intention… to win.
Woods has missed three of the last four Masters, including last year’s edition which saw Sergio Garcia break through into the Major winner’s circle. Woods attended last year’s Champions Dinner but admitted he was ‘debilitated’ and unable to make a swing due to a number of injuries, 365 days later he arrives as many of the bookies’ favourite after some positive showings in his latest return from the surgeon’s table.
‘Quite a shift. Six months ago the odds were I wasn’t even going to play,’ he said in his blog commenting on his recovery from a fourth procedure since 2014.
His recovery has been remarkable and so has his course turn around, shedding the tension around the greens and working hard on his game from the tee.
Woods barely made the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and went on to miss the weekend at the Genesis Open; hardly the kind of form that would have those pricing up the odds trembling.
Then came the upturn.
The Florida Swing saw the 14-time Major champion finish 12th at the Honda Classic before tying for second at the Valspar Championship. Those results were backed up by a run at the Arnold Palmer Invitational which faded into a share of fifth; there was, however, enough evidence to suggest Woods would be able to contend at Augusta National.
‘I’ve been better with each week I’ve competed,’ said Woods. ‘A little more crisp. I’m starting to put the pieces together.
‘I’m just really looking forward to playing,’ said the owner of four Green Jackets. ‘It’s the best run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere. It’s a golfer’s heaven.’
The last of Woods’ Augusta wins came back in 2005; he has six top fives and one top 10 in the years that followed.
There is no Major where course knowledge and history play a big role, but his renewed form and close ties to Augusta have the 42-year-old dreaming once again.
‘I’m just there to win,’ he said, as determined as ever.
