The last year of Tiger Woods news came to a head this morning when he arrived at Augusta National for a practice round for the Masters. Just over a year after a car accident that almost cost him his life, Tiger may just defy all odds again next week. Talk about a tradition in a way that is unique.
Woods hasn't played a professional tournament since late 2020, but he appeared with his son at a tournament in December. Augusta is the place for a Tiger Woods miracle in 2019: after a decade-long majors dry spell, he took home the green jacket in an emotional victory.
It would have been impossible for Tiger to return to play in a major tournament after only a short period of rehabilitation. He might not climb Mount Everest again, but playing the course would be a huge win. This move is both a delightful surprise and predictable, after months of denying that he had an expedited timetable or a long way to go in his rehabilitation.
The issue at this point, though, is whether he will be able to walk the Masters course for four days in a row. He was allowed to use a golf cart to get around the course, but that isn't the norm for a major.
Several people said they saw Woods play the Medalist course in Florida with his caddie. Greg DuCharme, who worked at Medalist during another Tiger recovery period, said on the First Cut that he thinks this walk may be a sign that Woods is preparing for a legitimate comeback.
Woods is doing a practice round at the course today to see how his body will handle the physical demands of Augusta, though in theory, he may be able to use a cart if he were approved to do so.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was used to bring about the disqualification of a golfer from an event for having a cart to get around. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Martin, rejecting the PGA Tour's argument that walking was important to the game of golf.
Martin's exemption has only been used once before in the history of the PGA, when John Daly was granted a cart because of knee problems. Martin, the golf coach at the University of Oregon, had a leg amputation in October.
Even if he were given a cart allowance, Woods wouldn't take it. In late 2021, Woods denied that he would ever use a golf cart. I wouldn't. Absolutely not. That is not who I am. If I can play at that level, I can play at that level.
Even if the Supreme Court disagrees, the game of golf isn't just about the swings for Tiger, but about the entire event. His hyper-competitive drive is matched by only a few athletes in history, and it appears that he would see using a cart as a cop-out for his comeback.
The mindset required to play at this level may be a hurdle for Woods. He said last month at a tournament that he hosted but didn't play in that the competitive nature of the game took a toll on him. I haven't prepared for that. I can go for a walk. Is it going to be sore? I can do that.
Maybe the last month has been spent in preparation for the Masters, which will begin on April 7.
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