Will Tiger Woods play in this year's Masters in Augusta?
Tiger Woods is reportadley testing out the waters to see if he can make his return to professional golf at The Master in Augusta next weekend.
Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta National on Tuesday for a practice round as he considers an audacious comeback to professional golf at the Masters, reports in the United States said.
Woods going for a sixth at Augusta?
The 15-time major winner, who has triumphed five times at The Masters, has not played on the PGA Tour since November 2020.
His last appearance was at Augusta, with The Masters having been delayed by seven months in that year due to the pandemic.
He underwent back surgery in December 2020, and was then seriously hurt in a February 2021 single-car crash, when he sustained major leg and foot injuries.
Tigers' last major was the Masters
Woods has since admitted he was lucky to survive, with the 46-year-old slowly recovering from the physical trauma over the past year.
The 2022 Masters marks 25 years since Woods first won at Augusta, when he sensationally triumphed by 12 strokes for his maiden major title. He last triumphed at the course in 2019, ending an 11-year wait for his 15th major.
Sports Illustrated reported on Tuesday that Woods arrived at the course to see how his body would stand up to the physical demands of the undulations at Augusta.
Charlie and Tiger back in action after PNC Championship
The report said a source, who did not wish to be named, confirmed Woods arrived with son Charlie, and that world number seven Justin Thomas, a close friend, was also with them.
The Masters runs from April 7-10, and as a former champion Woods benefits from a lifetime exemption.
He took his first steps towards a return by playing at the PNC Championship with his son in December, but that is a light-hearted event where professionals perform alongside a family member, and Woods was able to use a golf cart to get around.
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No commitment just yet from Woods
Speaking last month, Woods said he was a "long way off" a return to competitive action, adding he could not commit to returning to the PGA Tour this calendar year.
"You'll see me [again] on the PGA Tour, I just don’t know when," Woods said on CBS during coverage of the Genesis Invitational.