There has been growing speculation that five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods may return to action at Augusta National for the 2022 Masters Tournament, which is set to take place on April 7.
Woods has not played in a PGA Tour event since getting into a car accident last February, which left him with serious injuries to his right leg. It’s a miracle that Woods is even walking, much less possibly returning to golf a little over a year later.
Woods has said that he will never return to a full golf schedule again due to the injuries, but he will be selective in where he plays.
He was seen earlier this week at Augusta National with his son Charlie, along with fellow PGA Tour pro and friend Justin Thomas playing a practice round at the course, testing out whether or not his body can hold up on the notoriously rigorous golf course.
Golf insider Dan Rapoport tweeted out an interesting tidbit on Woods on Thursday, stating that in prior years where Woods has been on the fence about competing in the Masters Tournament, he has historically decided the Friday before the event.
When he’s been on the fence about playing the Masters, Tiger has historically announced his decision on Friday before the tournament. That’s tomorrow.
Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day. I’m sure this won’t cause any confusion at all.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) March 31, 2022
The public seems to believe that ultimately Woods will decide to play in the tournament, which would certainly be fantastic for the sport of golf.
Colt Knost on Tiger Woods' Masters chances:
"He’s gonna tee it up, I think. I know Joe and Tiger are close, but I don’t see Joe flying down to Florida just to carry his bag and hang out … if he knew he wasn’t going to play, he would have already told us."
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) March 29, 2022
If Tiger Woods returns for the Masters, it will be the most watched Golf Major of all time. #CountIt
— Nick Carpenito (@NCarpenito) March 31, 2022
'If he can walk, he can win,' says Hank Haney@GarsideK: 'Tiger's career is defined by improbable achievements and soaring narratives; fate demands that he plays – and wins.'
Can Woods triumph at Augusta next week?#TheMastershttps://t.co/QhaigkIWfb
— i sport (@iPaperSport) March 31, 2022
The betting market also seems to indicate that the public believes that Woods will play at the world-famous tournament. His betting odds started at +8000 to win the Masters, but have been cut in half down to +4000 Wynn Bet Sportsbook.
That may just be eager fans wanting to have some money on the event behind the most well-known golfer in the world, but Tiger has done miraculous things at Augusta before. He won at the event in 2019 despite numerous injuries, so it is certainly hard to count out Woods when it comes to the Masters’ Tournament.
