Reports: Tiger Woods plays Augusta National ahead of Masters

Tiger Woods’ recent appearance at Augusta National has ignited hopes of his return to competitive golf as he prepares for what could be his 26th Masters tournament. Reports from Sports Illustrated detailed the arrival of Woods’ Gulfstream G550 at Augusta Airport, with his close friend Justin Thomas accompanying him on the flight. Together, they joined Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley for a practice round on the iconic course, marking Woods’ first visit to the Georgia gem since withdrawing from last year’s Masters.

Since his withdrawal, Woods has been sparingly seen on the course, citing physical struggles as a significant factor. Notably, he exited the Genesis Invitational earlier this year after just six holes due to illness, later revealed to be a bout of flu. Despite these challenges, Woods has made efforts to stay engaged with the game, participating in various events, including an exclusive 18-hole round with Rory McIlroy at the Seminole Pro-Member outing and a social round with Yasir Al-Rummayan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, at the Albany course in the Bahamas. Furthermore, he has been actively involved in discussions regarding the potential merger of LIV Golf with the PGA and DP World Tours, underscoring his ongoing commitment to the sport.

If Woods decides to compete in the Masters, which appears increasingly likely, and manages to make the halfway cut, he would extend his record for the most weekend rounds played in Masters history to 24. Currently tied with golf legends Gary Player and Fred Couples, Woods has only missed one cut at Augusta, back in 1996.

Reflecting on his return to competition earlier this year, Woods acknowledged the need to manage his schedule carefully, aiming for one tournament per month to allow for sufficient recovery and preparation time. However, his inability to complete a full four rounds in any event thus far in the year has been a point of concern for fans and observers alike. Nonetheless, Woods’ presence at Augusta for a practice round has reignited optimism among golf enthusiasts, who eagerly await his potential comeback on the Masters stage.