Tiger Woods made just his second start of the year at the Masters last week, but the 15-time major champion had a difficult weekend and finished the tournament at 16 over par.
At The 2024 Masters, Woods made the cut for just the third time in his nearly 30-year professional career and finished last. However, analyzing the outcome here is too narrow-minded.
Tiger Woods finished the 2024 Masters on 16 over par, with rounds of 73, 72, 82, and 77 at Augusta National Golf Club. You could also say that he finished in 60th place. His best professional score was 304, and his worst Major championship total over 18 holes came in the third round.
In his nearly 30-year professional career, Woods finished a tournament where he made the cut at the bottom of the leaderboard just three times.
The other two, according to Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, are the Genesis Invitational in 2020 (where Woods shot a final-round 77 in his final event before Covid) and the 2015 Memorial, “where he shot a third-round 85.”
It would be absurd, though, to conclude from the 15-time Major champion’s score alone that he is done, that he will never again win a close four-round event, or that he cannot at least compete.
In his post-tournament press conference, the man himself was equally upbeat. “It was a good week,” he said. Overall, the week was enjoyable. Considering that we hadn’t participated in a full tournament for a very long time, I believe that the fights on Thursday and Friday were excellent. Regretfully, yesterday’s outcome wasn’t quite what I had hoped for.
Even so, one of the greatest golfers to have ever played the game has demonstrated that, despite the fact that his physical limitations make the road less straightforward, he still possesses the talent of a born performer and the heart of a lion, or Tiger.
In addition, Augusta’s galleries’ extreme consistency and density, along with the anticipated surge in TV viewership, demonstrate that, regardless of one’s opinion of the man, he is a significant draw for golfers. This is another reason why this week was genuinely successful.
And a little break from the grind when watching one of the greatest players of all time is undoubtedly something to be happy about, especially in a time when the men’s professional game is arguably trying its hardest to consume itself?
This year, Woods has participated in just one competitive round. That was at the Genesis in February prior to his withdrawal because of symptoms similar to the flu. Even though he would later hammer it out in a more relaxed environment at the Seminole Pro-Member, those sessions hardly qualified as game-day intensity workouts.
Prior to making his most recent professional comeback at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the 48-year-old had undergone ankle surgery, which relieved pain but fused his ankle in place after he withdrew from a wet Masters in April 2023.
For an entire year, Woods Sr.’sgolfingresume was limited to four rounds there and a few more at the PNC Championship in December with son Charlie.
However, Woods demonstrated that he still has a lot of life left in him at The Masters, where the big lights shone the brightest this year. In firm and windy conditions at Augusta National, several far younger and extremely successful players missed the cut, but Woods used his experience to knock the ball around in just one over over the first two days.
Several players, including Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, and Adrian Meronk, missed the cut, which ultimately came in at six over.
The 15-time Major winner did not have any luck on Friday due to the weather, which also hindered his putting. Woods had to play 23 holes. Throughout the week, Woods missed a lot of putts.
But rust seems to be the more likely cause of that than a physical problem. When Woods adjusts that by sticking to his monthly event schedule, who knows what might occur in the future?
He’s already committed to competing in the final three Majors of the current season, beginning next month at Valhalla with the PGA Championship.
“This is a golf course I knew going into it, so I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla, and Troon, but that’s kind of the game plan [to play the PGA Championship next],” Woods stated at his post-tournament press conference at The Masters.
“I enjoy returning here because I am familiar with the golf course and know how to play it. I’m able to mimic shots somewhat. Of course, it never quite compares to actually being outside and doing it. Similarly, I’ve heard that a few sites are changing soon. So, you have to check them out as soon as you wake up.
To further clarify, Woods said, “Well, just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing” when asked how he makes sure his body is operating at close to 100% in May. Ideally, the practice sessions will continue to extend.
Putting his 60th-place finish at The Masters aside, it’s a success for golf that the greatest player of the modern era is already self-assured enough to pencil his name in for the three major events this year.
With two holes remaining, Tiger finds himself in last place—a position he has rarely held in the past 28 years. Tiger has only placed last twice in events where he has made the cut. In the 2020 Genesis, he finished 68th following a final-round score of 85, and in the 2015 Memorial, he shot an 85 in the third round. 14 April 2024
Given his physical limitations, one of the most gifted golfers to have ever played the game has demonstrated that, despite obstacles, he still possesses the talent of a born performer and the heart of a lion, or Tiger.
In addition, Augusta’s galleries’ extreme consistency and density, along with the anticipated surge in TV viewership, demonstrate that, regardless of one’s opinion of the man, he is a significant draw for golfers. This is another reason why this week was genuinely successful.
And a little break from the grind when watching one of the greatest players of all time is undoubtedly something to be happy about, especially in a time when the men’s professional game is arguably trying its hardest to consume itself?
Considering that Woods has only competed in one competitive round this year, there are further advantages to the week. This happened at the Genesis tournament in February prior to his having to withdraw due to flu-like symptoms.
Later, at the Seminole Pro-Member event, he played in a more laid-back atmosphere, but those games cannot be compared to the intensity of a typical game day.
Before then, the 48-year-old had ankle surgery to relieve pain after pulling out of a soggy Masters in April 2023, but the procedure resulted in his ankle being fused in place. This took place prior to his triumphant return at the Hero World Challenge held in the Bahamas.
For an entire year, Woods Sr.’stotalnumber of golf outings was capped at four rounds at the PNC Championship in December, plus a couple more he played with his son Charlie.
Tiger Woods showed off his enduring skill and fortitude under duress during this year’s Masters tournament, despite his advanced age.
Woods used his experience to perform well and remain close to the top of the leaderboard through the first two days of the Augusta National golf tournament, in contrast to many other gifted and younger players who struggled in the difficult weather. Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, and Adrian Meronk were among the golfers who missed the cut, which came in at six over. Rory McIlroy, who is a strong competitor in every tournament he enters, was three shots behind Woods at that point.
Tiger Woods’ close friend Justin Thomas was among the many well-known golfers who missed the cut at The Masters in 2024.
The 15-time Major winner faced difficult conditions on Friday, forcing him to play 23 holes, and his putting did not help either. The 48-year-old routinely missed a lot of putts that were not far enough during the week.
It seems like rust is more of a problem there than anything physical. It’s unclear what might happen if Woods decides to play in one tournament a month once more. Woods has committed to playing in the next three Majors of the season, starting the following month at Valhalla with the PGA Championship.
By becoming the oldest Major champion and winning at the same event, fifty-year-old Phil Mickelson made history. Will Woods be able to accomplish the same feat as his former opponent?
Woods stated that he was acquainted with the golf course before the competition at The Masters during his post-tournament press conference.
He said he was going to train hard for the Pinehurst, Valhalla, and Troon tournaments coming up. Woods laid out his strategy, which calls for competing in the PGA Championship after this.
Coming back here is always enjoyable because I am accustomed to the golf course and can find my way around.
I have the ability to mentally practice and see my shots.
But nothing can match the experience of actually playing the course. I need to arrive early to inspect the upcoming locations because I’ve been informed that there have been some changes.
Woods clarified that he regularly works out, stays active, and builds strength in order to maintain his body’s functionality. When he keeps getting better, he hopes to lengthen his training sessions.
Disregarding his 60th place result at The Masters, the fact that the greatest player of the modern era is already confident enough to commit to playing in the three major events this year is a testament to success for both golf and the game in general.
This is a good development, and it should be the high point of the week.
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