Tiger Woods will again tee off at Augusta next week after confirming he plans to play in the US Masters.
The American is yet to play a professional tournament since suffering debilitating injuries in a high-speed car crash last February, with the 15-time major champion needing treatment for broken bones and multiple fractures in both legs. Indeed, he recently admitted that doctors seriously considered amputation in the aftermath of his accident.
After months of rehabilitation, Woods, 46, did return to the sport last December when he played in the PNC Championship with son Charlie. And eyebrows were then raised amongst fans last month when he was included on the provisional entry list for Augusta.
Despite the assumption amongst many pundits that the hilly nature of the course would prove too much for Woods, the prospect of him playing was raised last Tuesday when he completed a practice round at the venue with Charlie and good friend Justin Thomas. And now the American has confirmed he intends to take to the course again this week.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Woods told reporters: "As of right now, I feel like I am going to play." And it seems the five-time Green Jacket winner has no interest in simply making up the numbers at Augusta – asked if he feels like he can win the competition, he replied simply: "I do."
Woods added: "I can hit it just fine – I don't have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint. Walking is the hard part! 72 holes is a long road. It is a tough challenge and a challenge I am up for. I love competing. And if I feel like I can still play I'm going to. There will be a day when that won't happen."
After 14 months away from professional action following his car crash, it feels fitting that Woods feels ready to return at a major tournament where he has enjoyed so much success during his illustrious career. His five victories at the Masters can be bettered only by Jack Nicklaus, who has six Green Jackets in his wardrobe.
Similarly apt was the timing of his slightly delayed press conference. Woods sat down with reporters just a few minutes after storm warning sirens had been sounded at Augusta, warning those out on the course of "inclement weather" conditions. It was almost as though everything fell silent for the American's big announcement.
During the press conference, he also revealed he had played 27 holes at the course last week with son Charlie, and plans to hit nine more on Wednesday ahead of the start of competitive action in Thursday. "That's been the challenge," he said of his recovery. "That's why I came up here and tested out for 27 holes – we played the par three course, Charlie couldn't help himself.
"But it's the recovery, how am I going to get all the swelling out and recover for the next day? My team has been fantastic and worked very hard, so I've got another day of nine more holes and then comes game-time."
