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.

WARREN LITTLE | AFP

Joseph McMahon

Born in Chicago, Joe played varsity football and baseball in Bowling Green, Ohio for BGHS and later played lacrosse at BGSU. A year abroad in Spain changed everything. As destiny would have it he ended up living in Zaragoza, running his own business, teaching Journalism at a private university then working as a SEO journalist for Diario AS.

Update: Apr 14th, 2024 13:03 EDT

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.

Sunday red for @TigerWoods' 100th round at #theMasters pic.twitter.com/ZZMgXvLb1F
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 14, 2024

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).

Zero fun to watch Tiger Woods right now. Can't even imagine how much pain he is in. Hands are there but the legs just aren't. A reminder he's completed 72 holes just 3 times in the last 3 years.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) April 13, 2024

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)

🚨🐅 After a brutal third round 82, Tiger Woods confirms he’ll tee it up on Sunday at The Masters: "My team will get me ready. It will be a long night and a long warmup session, but we'll be ready." (Via: @dylan_dethier) pic.twitter.com/CmYtW61Eob
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 13, 2024

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.

Tiger Woods scores of 80 or higher as a professional in major championships

82, 2023 Masters Tournament (R3)
81, 2002 Open Championship (R3)
80, 2015 U.S. Open (R1)
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 13, 2024

Why Woods wins wearing red

GOLF

Cash bonanza on the line for 2024 Masters winner

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.

50 highest-paid athletes of all-time:

1. Michael Jordan: $3.75B 🏀
2. Tiger Woods: $2.66B ⛳️
3. Cristiano Ronaldo: $1.92B ⚽️
4. Arnold Palmer: $1.76B ⛳️
5. LeBron James: $1.7B 🏀
6. Jack Nicklaus: $1.67B ⛳️
6. Lionel Messi: $1.67B ⚽️
8. David Beckham: $1.5B ⚽️
9.…
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) April 13, 2024

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.