GOLF
Could this be Tiger Woods’ last Masters Tournament? Retirement rumors after worst round at Augusta
Woods will finish 72 holes after struggling at Augusta. It’s only the third time in four years that Tiger has played all four days of a tournament.
After watching Tiger struggle yesterday at the Masters, and his ups and downs since his last win in 2019, we can’t help but wonder if this is the end for the golfing legend. Everyone who plays golf knows it’s a humbling game and it can get even the best golfers, but to watch Tiger hit an 82 on Saturday was painful for him and for his fans.
When was Tiger’s car accident?
Woods had a very serious car accident in February 2021 after the Genesis Invitational near Los Angeles. He had a long, slow recovery and it’s impressive that he was even able to walk after seeing the images of the accident site. According to the police report Woods was “driving at a speed unsafe for the road conditions and the inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway.’’
Since the incident in 2021, he has played in the 2022 Masters (finished 47th), 2022 PGA Championship (WD), 2022 British Open (CUT), 2023 Genesis Invitiational (T45), 2023 Masters (WD), 2023 Hero World Challenge (18) and the 2024 Genesis Invitational (WD).
Tiger’s record over the past 10 years
It’s hard to believe, but Woods has only played in 51 tournaments since 2014. He has struggled on the course over the last 10 years. That’s an average of roughly 5 tournaments a year. His two most significant seasons were in 2018 and 2019, when he won the Masters, but he hasn’t played much over the past five years.
- 2014: Played in seven tournaments with two cuts, two WDs and best finish T17 Hero World Challenge
- 2015: 11 tournaments with four cuts, one WD and best result T10 at the Wyndham Championship.
- 2016: One tournament at the Hero World Challenge (15)
- 2017: Two tournaments - Best finish Hero World Challenge (T9)
- 2018: 19 tournaments - Two cuts and and a win at the 2018 Tour Championship and second place at the PGA Championship
- 2019: Two cuts and a win at the 2019 Masters
- 2020: Three tournaments, cut at 2020 US Open and T38 at the Masters
- 2021: No tournaments
- 2022: Three tournaments: Masters (47), PGA Championship WD and British Open (cut)
- 2023: Three tournaments: Masters (WD), best finish Hero World Challenges (18)
When will Tiger Woods retire?
Only Tiger knows how much longer he can continue to compete at the top level. He has said before he has no intention of stepping down from competitive play, but it has been hard watching him just walk around courses ever since the car accident. There’s no doubt he’s a competitor, but it’s just mind over matter at this point.
Woods has other businesses off the course like designing golf courses and now his new line of golf apparel. He is at the top of sports earners just behind Michael Jordan, so money is not a problem for the former golf No. 1. He is rumored to be the next US Ryder Cup captain and maybe he’ll try to keep playing until the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black.
Expect Tiger to keep playing despite the pain, but at some point he’ll have to decide if it’s worth it for him to play four days in such pain.