AUGUSTA, Ga. — Questions, questions, questions about Tiger Woods and his surprise appearance at Augusta National for this week’s Masters fewer than 14 months removed from the grisly car crash he was in outside of Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2021.
Woods arrived to Augusta on Sunday afternoon, hit balls for 20 minutes at the practice range and then played some holes on the back nine. Woods played the front nine Monday.
Here are some questions and answers involving Woods, who on Sunday tweeted that it would be a “game-time decision’’ whether he’ll compete in the tournament or not.
Q: Does he have to declare before tee times are released? If so when is that?
A: Woods does not have any hard deadline by which he must commit, according to a tournament official. The tee times are announced about noon Tuesday, and as long as Woods hasn’t told tournament officials that he’s not going to compete, then he’ll be on the tee sheet with a time for Thursday’s opening round. Woods doesn’t really need to tell anyone his intention until his actual tee time Thursday — at which time he can withdraw if he doesn’t feel physically up for it.
Tiger Woods drew a crowd for his practice session at Augusta National on April 4, 2022. Getty Images
Tiger Woods shakes hands with Paul Casey at Augusta National on April 4, 2022. REUTERSQ: If Woods opts not to play, is there a replacement waiting for the call?
A: No. Unlike regular PGA Tour events, which have a list of alternates who can get into the tournament field if players withdraw before teeing off, the Masters is an invitational and has its field set in advance. There are no alternates. The field is the field and if players withdraw, their place it not taken by another player.
Q: What did Tiger do Monday?
A: He spent the morning physically preparing himself to practice, which included stretching and some lifting. He practiced and played the front nine with Fred Couples and Justin Thomas.
Q: When will Tiger play again?
A: Couples said he’s playing nine holes with Woods on Wednesday.
Tiger Woods hits off the first tee during a practice round at Augusta National on April 4, 2022. Getty ImagesQ: What’s the scene like at Augusta on a normally quiet Monday?
A: This is the 28th Masters I’ve covered for The Post and I’ve never seen this many people on the grounds on a Monday. Monday at the Masters a few years ago was a sleepy, quiet experience. Today, with the prospect of Woods turning up at any moment, the grounds are mobbed with anticipation, with an estimate of more than 35,000 fans on hand. The practice area was packed, too.
Q: How are the bookmakers reacting to Tiger?
A: Woods is a 50-1 bet to win. It seems like Las Vegas is in a wait-and-see mode with Woods, who’s left open the possibility that he won’t play (though that’s highly unlikely). According to a Yahoo.com report, Woods has received more bets than any other competitor.
Q: If Woods plays, does he really have a chance to win?
A: I don’t believe Woods would be here this week if he didn’t think his golf game was in a state that was good enough to win. So, if his right leg can handle the physicality of walking the hilly terrain for four-plus days, he knows how to get the ball around Augusta National as well as anyone and winning a sixth green jacket cannot be discounted.
