AUGUSTA, Ga. — The thing is becoming real.
Tiger Woods took another significant step towards the first tee Thursday morning to play his 24th Masters opening round. For the second day in a row he practiced and played some holes and played the front nine on Monday afternoon after playing at back a day earlier.
Not to mention Woods’ “game time decision” in his Sunday morning tweet. Barring a bad setback, Woods will play this week. And as the moment draws closer, it becomes clear just how remarkable that moment will be when it hits Thursday.
Wood’s presence in Augusta has enlivened the place positively, not only from the huge galleries of fans – more than 35,000 were on the premises Monday – jostling for position to catch a glimpse of him, but also from Woods ‘ Competitors, too.
The fact that he will be competing in arguably golf’s most important major championship less than 14 months after the frightening car accident he was involved in outside of Los Angeles is an amazing thought.
Tiger Woods tees off on the third hole in Augusta as the crowd looks on April 4, 2022.EPA
“I would be surprised if anyone else ever lived,” Max Homa said Monday. “Well, no, I’m not surprised. I’m amazed It’s a true testament to his work ethic as we all know what he does on the golf course, how hard he works and the stories and legends that exist.
“It reminds me of the documentary ‘The Muse’ with Kobe Bryant after he ruptured his Achilles tendon – he picked up marbles with his toes and … and did a lot more than anyone else. That’s what I envision Tiger doing, as well as most of the reps you can possibly do to get ready. It’s really remarkable.”
Stephen Nicholas, the director of sports medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and a former Jets orthopedic surgeon, used that word “remarkably” when speaking to The Post about Woods playing this week.
“It’s a remarkable recovery — just by the amount of inner strength it takes to overcome what he had to overcome,” Nicholas said Monday before walking his son at Augusta National. “To play and run again is amazing and to play golf at this level of competition is an incredible story.”
Nicholas said he was surprised by Woods’ speedy recovery “because of the bone he injured [the talus bone, which connects the foot to the ankle] is such an important part of his swing.”
“The talar bone is a round bone that sits below the ankle, and if you injure yourself you break it and you can lose a piece of it, leading to an irregularity in the articulation between the bone above and the big round ball.” Nicholas went on. “This causes inflammation in the tendon and the surrounding joint capsule and causes pain. The stiffness that comes from this ankle injury is incredible. You need to get rid of the stiffness, and it’s a very painful, arduous task.
Tiger Woods walks through the gallery during a practice round in Augusta April 4, 2022.EPA
Tiger Woods tees off on the fourth hole during his Masters practice round April 4, 2022.EPA
“He’s obviously a tough guy, but I didn’t think he could travel all the way to compete. I thought he might play recreational golf again.”
Woods played Monday with two of his closest golf buddies, Fred Couples and Justin Thomas, and Couples said Woods “looked phenomenal.”
“I hope he can serve and play well this week,” said Patrick Cantlay. “Of course that is the greatest thing for our sport. Everyone is excited about it. Even last week it was exciting for the guys to hear about his potential. There’s definitely a different feeling in tournaments when he serves.”
Bryson DeChambeau best described that different feeling when he said, “We could hear the loud roar as he came out of the clubhouse to that first tee and that was very special to hear.
Tiger Woods (L) and Fred Couples (R) during a Masters practice session in Augusta April 4, 2022.REUTERS
“I couldn’t be happier for him [to be] coming back to where he is right now, proud of him. Shoot, recovering from that injury, we had some talks, and man I don’t know how he did that. Tiger is tiger and you can never count him. He’s someone who could shock a lot of people if he makes it this week.”
Adam Scott said seeing Woods play this week “would just be epic,” adding, “I learned a long time ago never to doubt the guy. If he gets around, which seems like the question, you can’t doubt his golf.
When asked if he thinks Woods can “compete” this week, Homa said, “Yes, it’s Tiger Woods.”
Brooks Koepka provided these strong words about Woods: “We need him. The game needs him. Everyone needs him. The fans need him, all that stuff.”
Also, Koepka said he has a relationship with Woods, having played the Masters last year after suffering a knee injury.
“Look, I tried it in some of his skin two weeks after surgery last year,” Koepka said. “This place is not exactly an easy walk. I understand what he has against it. It will be difficult. It’s a great championship, it’s Augusta, it doesn’t matter how much you’re in pain, you find a way. He will find a way. If anyone can, it’s him.”