Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-06 07:16:25
Tiger Woods is gearing up to make his 26th start at the Masters next week, despite being plagued by severe leg injuries sustained in a 2021 car crash. The 15-time major winner, whose plane was seen heading to Augusta last week, is scheduled to speak with reporters at Augusta National on Tuesday and remains in the tournament field on the event website. Woods is currently dealing with constraints due to injuries, according to his friend, Notah Begay. Begay stated that Woods has zero mobility in his left ankle and is facing challenges with his lower back. Despite these obstacles, Woods is working on formulating a strategy to compete in the tournament.
The 48-year-old US golf superstar won the 2019 Masters, marking his first major title since 2008. However, he has encountered difficulties since his comeback following the 2021 auto accident. In his last appearance at the 2022 Masters, Woods finished 47th and struggled to walk the entire course. Last year, he matched a Masters record by making a 23rd consecutive cut but withdrew due to plantar fasciitis and underwent ankle surgery in April. Woods played Augusta National recently with Justin Thomas and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley. This season, he only participated in one PGA event at Riviera in February, where he withdrew after one round due to illness.
The biggest challenge for Woods is completing four rounds of golf, according to Begay. The question remains whether he can walk the full 72 holes and recover between rounds. Woods’ ability to recover will determine his performance at the Masters this year. Woods has a history of delivering remarkable shotmaking at Augusta National, with some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history. He won his first major title at the Masters in 1997 and completed a “Tiger Slam” in 2001 with four major wins in a row. Woods also won back-to-back Masters titles in 2001 and 2002, followed by another victory in 2005.
In 2019, Woods staged a remarkable comeback by winning the Masters after battling through multiple back surgeries and doubts about his ability to play golf again. Following his car crash in 2021, Woods underwent a long recovery process to return to golf at the 2022 Masters. Since then, he has only participated in three majors, facing challenges and setbacks along the way. Despite his injuries and uncertainties, Woods has shown resilience and determination in his pursuit of excellence in golf.
As Woods prepares for the upcoming Masters, fans and fellow players are eagerly anticipating his performance on the course. His presence at Augusta National is a testament to his enduring passion for the game and his relentless pursuit of success. While facing physical limitations, Woods remains determined to overcome obstacles and showcase his talent once again at one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
