AUGUSTA, Ga. — Just a few years ago, if you asked Tiger Woods what an accomplishment it would be to play in the Masters, you’d be doing it at your own peril.
Woods patented the cold stare whenever someone was foolish enough to ask him what his goal was on the eve of his favorite major championship.
And the answer never changed.
“It’s about winning,” Woods always said.
Woods’ goal wasn’t to qualify for a major tournament. His 82 career victories, including 15 major championships, are all the proof you need of that.
Despite turning 48 and dealing with a number of physical ailments, Woods said Tuesday he believes he can still get “one more win” at this week’s Masters.
I didn’t believe that to be true, and I still don’t believe it. Because there are too many factors that stand in the way of such an amazing feat. That includes current leader Bryson DeChambeau, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa.
But on Friday, Woods qualified for the Masters for the 24th consecutive time, breaking the tournament record held by close friends Fred Couples (1993-2007) and Gary Player (1959-82). , which I believe is a feat that should be celebrated considering his age. The physical condition and the depth and rich talent pool in the game.
It’s certainly an accomplishment that Woods appreciates, even if he doesn’t say so publicly.
“As soon as I’m done with you guys, I’ll be able to text Freddie and thread the needle,” Woods said of his brief post-round conversation with reporters.
But when Woods spotted Couples and made a few tweaks, his focus quickly returned to the moment, and with one over for the tournament, he was seven strokes off the leader and in contention to win a record sixth green jacket. It’s approaching.
“That means I have a chance to play this weekend,” Woods said, sounding a lot like his 20- or 30-year-old self. “I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament.”
Woods entered the day facing a challenge he would rather not face: having to play more than 18 holes.
Thursday’s first round was delayed by thunderstorms and then interrupted by darkness, forcing Woods to finish the last five holes of the first round on Friday morning before starting the second round. That would mean up to 23 holes were played on Friday.
“Yeah, I’m tired,” Woods said. “I’ve been out for a while, competing and working hard. It’s been a long 23 holes, a long day.”
Homa, one of Woods’ playing partners for the past two days, enjoyed what he witnessed from the front row after jumping into contention at 6 under for his first major victory.
“It’s hard to describe in words,” Homa said of his two-day experience with Woods. “I feel the crowd, the anticipation, the admiration in every shot. These last two days, I’ve been watching him from time to time and enjoying myself as a fan…I had a slightly better seat.
“It’s just a dream to be here and play with him,” continued Homa, echoing Woods from Los Angeles. “I always wanted to watch him hit iron shots around here and I was right next to him. It was really cool. His short game was very good. I don’t think I can explain how great some of the chip shots were.
“He’s special. He was able to respond really quickly. [after completing the first round] And if I was tired and feeling terrible, I think he felt even worse. ”
It was always a good bet that Woods would play in the tournament as long as he stayed healthy. Because no one knows and understands the nuances of Augusta National like he does.
“He understands this golf course really well,” Homa said. “His iron play was very good and you could tell he had very good control even when he missed the green. He turned around five times to avoid getting his face crushed. He stood there like a statue and then poured sand in the middle.
“All the clichés you hear about him and the old stories about how he overcomes them, it was fun to see it firsthand.”
Woods had to withdraw from the 2023 Masters before the third round began on Saturday morning due to poor health and cold, wet weather. In the past two years, he has only completed his 72-hole full field tournament once.
But now that doesn’t matter.For Woods, that will remain. Game Start He spends the next two days trying to summon more of the magic that stunned the world in 2019.
“I’ll be right there,” Woods said.
his place.
