Tiger Woods says he plans to compete in the 86th Masters tournament this week, less than 14 months after the golfer was seriously injured in a horrific car accident.
The 15-time main winner, who feared he would have to amputate his right leg after an accident in February 2021, has not competed in any top-level event since the 2020 Masters in November of that year.
“Right now I feel like I’m going to play.” Woods He made the remarks at his pre-tournament press conference at the Augusta National on Tuesday.
He said he would make the final decision on Wednesday after playing nine more holes at the iconic tournament’s home Augusta National Golf Club.
The 46-year-old, who competed in the PNC Championships with his son Charlie in December, played a practice round in August last week and nine holes in both Sunday and Monday.
Asked if he thought he could win his 16th major title this week, Woods said: “I do.”
But his injuries are still very much on his mind, he admits: “Walking is the hardest part. It’s not an easy walk to start, and with my legs in that position, it’s even harder.
“Seventy-two holes is a long road. This is going to be a tough challenge and I am ready for a challenge. “
Woods said he would never again play full-time golf after that The SUV hit a tree in Los Angeles.
Woods is celebrating winning the Masters in 2019, his last big win
Police said he was speeding at the time, but did not take a blood sample.
He informed the officials He did not remember drivingHow the accident happened alone.
Woods has spent a month in hospital undergoing surgery on his lower leg and ankle.
He later predicted that he would handle only one or two events per year if his rehabilitation was good.
Woods told Golf Digest: “I think something realistic is playing a one-day tour – sometimes full-time, sometimes again – but pick and choose, right Mr. [Ben] Hogan did.
The first picture of Tiger Woods after the accident
“Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around it.”
In the first photo he shared after the accident, he was on a crutch, his right leg and leg in a cast, but he said his recovery was “coming along”.
Woods has won The Masters five times in his career, second only to six-time trophy winner Jack Nichols.
Her career earnings are listed at over $ 120m (£ 86.5M).
