AUGUSTA After all these years and all those surgeries, golf is still the Tiger Woods show.
For evidence you need only to look at this picture from a Monday practice round.
Its possible theres more public interest in Woods than ever before.
His career arc is downright Shakespearean: triumph, scandal, triumph again, disaster.
Theres also his fused back, and the left knees also had its share of issues.
“I don’t know how many more I have in me,” Woods said.
“I know more guys on the Champions Tour than I do the regular tour.”
Like 2019 on steroids.
Hes come here with no lead-up at all and a broken-down body in the past and been very competitive.
So, the question is: what are his prospects for this, his 25th Masters appearance?
Lets take a hint from the man himself.
Thats the posture hes maintained at every golf tournament hes ever played.
Remember that Curtis Strange clip, where hes asked what would make a successful pro debut?
Winning, he says, only for Strange to condescendingly tell him youll learn.
But this year, he said something different.
Does that still stand?
I think my endurance is better.
And I had a little window in which I did push it and was able to come back.
Fast-forwarding, I didn’t really play a whole lot afterwards.
Took a little bit to recover from the event.
I played in February at L.A. and then took a little time off before getting ready for this.
You know, I just have to be cognizant of how much I can push it.
It is what it is.
I wish it could be easier.
Does that sound like someone ready to win a major championship?
On an extremely hilly golf course?
Fred Couples and Rory McIlroy played a practice round with Woods on Monday morning.
On the range, he looks like Tiger Woods should look on the range.
Its a stripe show.
It’s just the toll it takes on his body to compete over 72 holes.
So he looks good in practice.
But heres the thing about PGA Tour pros: they all look good in practice!
If they dont, thats noteworthy.
But striping it on the range, or on a Tuesday, does not automatically lead to weekend success.
Especially when something as simple as walking without debilitating pain is no guarantee.
Then theres the weather, which couldnt look worse for Woods.
At this point in his career he needs about three hours of prep before he plays.
And ever since the back surgery, warmth has been his best friend and cold his worst enemy.
Its supposed to be in the low 50s all weekend, when Woodss energy reserves will already be depleted.
All this to say: it doesnt look great for this week as far as contending goes.
He’s never missed the cut here as a professional.
That’s the most likely outcome this week, too.
If it wasnt the Masters, he probably wouldnt be playing, Joe LaCavatold the New York Poston Tuesday.
The injury is devastating.
