It sounds like Tiger Woods understands he’s lucky just to be able to play in the Masters than he is an actual contender to win the tournament this week.
“I don’t know how many more I have in me,” Woods admitted Tuesday about the Masters, per Paolo Uggetti of ESPN. “I know more guys on the Champions Tour than I do the regular tour.”
Woods remarkably shot a one-under 71 for his opening round at the 2022 Masters roughly 14 months after a horrific car accident nearly cost him his leg. While the 15-time major champion with five green jackets made the tournament cut, he ultimately finished at 13 over par.
Woods insisted Tuesday he still has the same desire to win and belief in himself he possessed when he was the sport’s unstoppable force. The 47-year-old also spoke like a veteran well past his prime who can read the writing on the wall.
“With the accident, it’s been a tough road, and to be able to come back here and play at Augusta National is an appreciation,” Woods added, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “It’s such a special place. It means so much to me in my heart to come here and play with all the memories I’ve had here. So much of my life has been here at Augusta National. I’m just excited to be able to be here and compete and play. This tournament has meant so much to me in my life. I’ve had so many great memories here.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, OddsChecker showed that some sportsbooks had Woods listed as a +8000 long shot to win this year’s Masters.
Also on Tuesday, the PGA Tour announced that Woods is scheduled to tee off at the Masters at 10:18 a.m. ET Thursday and 1:24 p.m. ET on Friday. He’ll play alongside Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele.
