Tiger Woods is back yet again at Augusta National, but this time around, it seems like he’s preparing fans for realistic goals.
Woods, who has been optimistic about his chances in past returns, said that his health has been a struggle in 2024, stemming from ankle surgery last year and major leg surgery and rehabilitation following a car crash three years ago.
Woods said in a press conference on Wednesday:
“I thought that when I was at Hero [in December], once a month would be a really nice rhythm. It hasn’t worked out that way. But now we have major championships every month from here through July. So now, the once a month hopefully kicks in.”
Woods said after competing in 72 holes in that exhibition tournament that he felt he could play one tournament a month starting in February at Riviera.
But Woods said he dealt with back spasms in the first round of the Genesis Invitational and withdrew with flu-like symptoms during day two.
Woods has not played since then, skipping both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship in March.
Woods said about missing two of his favorite stops on the Tour:
“I wasn’t ready to play. My body wasn’t ready. My game wasn’t ready. I hurt every day; I ache every day.”
Woods did say that he has just as many good days as bad, so there is hope for a nice run at Augusta National this week.
