Masters is all about Tiger Woods, even with so many subplots

The gates to Augusta National opened a little bit after 7 a.m. Monday. It didn’t really feel as if Masters week began till simply earlier than 3 p.m.

Tiger Woods was on the primary tee, and this was no time to be purchasing for shirts and caps or standing in line for pimento cheese sandwiches. That a lot was evident by the largest golf crowd this 12 months on one gap aside from the circus par-3 sixteenth on the Phoenix Open.

Woods consumes consideration at each Masters he performs. It’s been that manner for the reason that first of his 5 inexperienced jackets he received 25 years in the past.

Now it’s even better underneath these uncommon circumstances.

He hasn’t performed in opposition to the very best in 17 months, not for the reason that 2020 Masters in November, whereas recovering from a automobile crash that when regarded as if it would finish his profession. And nonetheless to be decided is whether or not he performs this one.

Tiger Woods tees off on the third gap throughout a apply spherical for the Masters golf event. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Woods has mentioned it might be a “game-time” choice whether or not his battered proper leg and ankle can deal with strolling and competing over 18 holes at Augusta National.

“There’s always buzz around this place,” Billy Horschel mentioned. “But there’s just another level of buzz to see him and see him play. I’ve thought about it in the past, and I may be on the first tee watching him tee off if my tee works out and everything, just because it’s a special moment.”

It’s not as if this Masters was devoid of drama.

Rory McIlroy will get one other crack on the profession Grand Slam. He spent Monday in an Irish fourball alongside Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power. They have eight majors amongst them; Power is making his Masters debut.

Tiger Woods walks on the third inexperienced throughout a apply spherical for the Masters golf event. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Bryson DeChambeau is again, regardless that he says his medical doctors don’t advocate it.

DeChambeau mentioned he first damage his left hip two years in the past whereas velocity coaching — swinging as quick as his physique allowed — and slipping on concrete.

Then, he didn’t work on finger energy, and that led to a popping sound in his wrist earlier than his TV match in opposition to Brooks Koepka in Las Vegas final November. That led to a hairline fracture of his hamate bone in his left hand. And then he slipped on marble whereas enjoying desk tennis is Saudi Arabia in early February, went horizontal and landed on his hand and his hip.

He declared himself 80%, although he favored the best way he felt coming into the Masters. DeChambeau hasn’t make a 36-hole minimize since The Northern Trust in late August — then once more, he has performed solely eight instances since then, six of these tournaments with out a minimize.

“The past few weeks have been very, very difficult on me, not playing well and not hitting it anywhere near where I know I should be hitting it,” he mentioned. “Yelling ‘Fore!’ off the tee every time is just not fun. It’s very difficult on your mental psyche as well.”

Tiger Woods walks down the fourth fairway throughout a apply spherical for the Masters golf event. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Playing the Masters was a “huge risk” a number of weeks in the past and a call he mentioned his medical doctors didn’t advocate. He was everyday till he felt snug giving it a go.

“Different situation than Tiger, obviously, but it was definitely a day-by-day process of figuring out if I could do this,” he mentioned.

So a lot goes again to Woods, who had damaged bones in his proper leg and ankle from the automobile crash outdoors Los Angeles in February 2021 that left him immobilized for 3 months and never swinging a membership till final November.

Brooks Koepka is aware of a factor or two about enjoying with damage, even when not as many have been folks have been paying consideration.

Koepka had surgical procedure on his proper knee three weeks earlier than the Masters final 12 months and nonetheless was decided to play. It was so dangerous he couldn’t crouch to learn putts. Koepka is lastly again at full energy, although he nonetheless hasn’t received for the reason that Phoenix Open greater than a 12 months in the past.

He is extra involved together with his personal sport that what Woods has occurring, although Koepka can respect the stroll Woods is going through higher than most gamers.

“Look, I’m happy he’s becoming healthier and able to play golf,” Koepka mentioned. “We need him, the game needs him, everybody needs him, the fans need him, all that stuff. But at the end of the day everybody is just out here competing. I’m worried about myself and I’m sure everybody else is worried about themselves.”

Koepka mentioned he required cortisone photographs simply to play. Throw within the hours to arrange earlier than the spherical and to recuperate after the spherical, and that has led to some lengthy days.

“I understand what he’s up against. It’ll be difficult. But if anybody can do it, it’s him,” Koepka mentioned. “I don’t know everything he’s going through. His was a lot worse than mine, so I’m not trying to compare it. I just know it’s difficult walking this place when you don’t have the same body parts you’re used to.”